Headline: Oxfam gears up its aid effort to help people affected by fighting in Iraq

Over 1.2 million people have been displaced as a result of fighting in Central and Northern Iraq and an estimated 1.5 million people are now in need of humanitarian assistance. Many have fled their homes and are in desperate need of food, shelter, medicine, water and sanitation.

Oxfam’s Iraq Country Representative Wael Ibrahim said : “The situation is deteriorating day by day and our priority is to get to as many people as quickly as possible, families have been completely traumatised by the situation and are constantly on the move looking for safety. Our priority is to be ready to assist them with crucial aid and try to be ahead of the situation by ensuring we are in the right place ready to deliver safe water and sanitation.”

Oxfam is on the ground and planning to work with partners to reach around 50,000 people over the next 3 months with safe water and sanitation.

The maker of Old El Paso tacos, Betty Crocker cake mixes and Haagan Daz ice-cream has today committed to industry-leading measures to cut pollution from its supply chains and press for political action to address climate change.

Oxfam welcomes the announcement from General Mills, owner of Betty Crocker and Old El Paso, which comes after more than 230,000 people, including thousands of Kiwis, signed petitions and took action as part of Oxfam’s campaign to urge food and drink companies to help stop climate change.

General Mills is one of the world’s ten biggest food and drink companies and the commitments announced today make it the first major food and drink company to promise to apply long-term science-based targets to drastically cut pollution across all of its operations and supply chains.

Rachael Le Mesurier, Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand said: “This is a huge win for Kiwis. Today General Mills has taken a bold step to become an industry leader in addressing the clear danger climate change poses to our food system.

For the food and drink industry, climate change is a major threat. For millions of people, it means more extreme weather, more pollution, greater hunger and deeper poverty. Rather than stand by silently as climate change undermines its business and the food we all eat, General Mills aims to be part of the solution. Political leaders and others in the industry should take note,” Le Mesurier said.

The company has also signed-on to the Climate Declaration and joined the steering group of Business for Innovative Climate and Energy Policy (BICEP) a leading advocacy coalition of businesses committed to working with policy makers to pass meaningful climate and energy laws.

Consumer power

“This would not have happened without the remarkable outpouring of public action from people who are fed up with the lack of effort to address climate change from too many food companies and governments. It’s further evidence that consumers have a huge say in how companies operate if they raise their voice,” Le Mesurier said.

Kellogg, the makers of Coco Pops, Cornflakes and All Bran are the other target of Oxfam’s campaign and have yet to address the issues highlighted by Oxfam’s report,Standing on the Sidelines.

As one of the biggest food and beverage companies on the planet General Mills has immense power to influence its suppliers and help create stronger standards in the industry. Oxfam’s report revealed that the 10 biggest food and beverage companies together emit so much pollution that, if they were a single country, they would be the 25th most polluting in the world.

The report also highlighted cases in Liberia and Indonesia where suppliers of palm oil to General Mills and Kellogg are accused of clearing land and burning forests. In light of these new commitments, Oxfam expects the company to addresses the issues raised in Indonesia and Liberia with its suppliers.

Kellogg is one of General Mills’ main competitors in the industry and the company faces growing pressure from the public to act. General Mills has shown that the only thing standing in the way of greater climate action from food and beverage companies is the political will.

1. Define and disclose a total supply chain pollution reduction target by August 2015, with a focus on achieving agriculture emissions reductions.

2. Aim to achieve zero net deforestation, in countries at high-risk for deforestation that supply ingredients for General Mills products, by 2020. This expands its previous commitments for palm oil to include other supply chains at high risk for deforestation and land degradation including, beef, soy and sugarcane.

3. Disclose their top three suppliers of palm oil and sugar cane.

4. Participate in the Carbon Disclosure Project, including annual reporting on pollution data and responding to the Forests Information Request.

5. Publicly advocate for effective and efficient public and industry association policy, such as encouraging peers to join the Consumer Goods Forum’s zero net deforestation commitment.

6. Join advocacy group ‘Business for Innovative Climate and Energy Policy’ and sign-on to the Climate Declaration.

7. Regularly review company statements and policies to ensure they are aligned with mitigation targets, plans, and adaptation initiatives. Report on governance-related activity on climate policy where material.

8. Assess their supplier practices for all high-risk commodities of material significance and, where necessary, take action to address material issues.

“We applaud General Mills for taking this vital first step,” said Le Mesurier. “We look forward to tracking the actions the company takes to follow through on their promises. The ball is now in Kellogg’s court to respond to the hundreds of thousands of people calling for climate action.”

Oxfam New Zealand has accepted a cheque for almost $1000 today from the Pacific Corporation Foundation toward recovery efforts in the Solomon Islands, following April’s flash flooding that left thousands homeless.

Laulu Mac Leauanae, Chief Executive of the Pacific Corporation Foundation, has just returned from a trip to the Solomon’s representing New Zealand at the Private Sector Dialogue meeting, where he says he was moved by how much need still exists.

“I was in Honiara a couple of weeks ago and there is still a lot of infrastructure work to be completed and many people are still in need of basic necessities.

“Our work in the Pacific is undergirded with a real desire to see all Pacific communities prosper. So, when one of our family in the Pacific suffers, we all suffer,” he said.

“I’ve been aware of the great work of Oxfam for some time but have been particularly impressed with Oxfam’s Cyclone Ian relief effort in Tonga. So, as an organisation, we’re happy to provide this ‘meaalofa’ for Oxfam’s work in the Solomon Islands,” he said.

Rachael Le Mesurier, Oxfam New Zealand’s Executive Director, said the money will go a long way to supporting families who are trying to get back on their feet.

“When the floods hit in April hundreds of acres of crops were destroyed, small shops and boats were swept away and entire communities lost their homes and livelihoods.

“But thanks to generous Kiwis, Oxfam has been able to provide crucial, life-saving aid to over 12,000 people. We’re in the Solomon Island’s for the long haul – right now, we’re helping people rebuild their means of earning a living. Simple, cost effective solutions like providing seeds, garden spades and communal tools like axes means people can plant gardens, feed their families and sell the surplus at market to earn a living,” she said.

“There is a long road ahead for families trying to rebuild their lives, and we will ensure that this very generous donation is used strategically and has an immediate impact. A huge thank you to everyone who has donated to Oxfam’s Solomon Island floods appeal”

Headline: As another typhoon hits Philippines Oxfam warns there are not enough evacuation centres to keep people safe

Tacloban City, Leyte – International agency Oxfam said today as another typhoon hits the Philippines there are insufficient evacuation centres available to keep people safe.

“This typhoon is powerful but not the same strength as last year’s super typhoon. With people still living in vulnerable areas and makeshift shelters there is an urgency to help them get away from danger and into safe areas,” said Justin Morgan, country director of international aid agency Oxfam who is currently in Tacloban.

Typhoon Rammasun bore down on the Philippines Monday evening. Strong winds destroyed some tents, while rain and flood water began to seep into makeshift homes in and around Tacloban one of the worse hit areas by typhoon Haiyan.

The typhoon is expected to intensify Tuesday afternoon, with a maximum speed of 101-185 kilometers per hour. Eastern Samar and Northern Leyte also devastated by last year’s super typhoon are among those areas that are expected to be affected by the latest typhoon.

Eight months after super typhoon Haiyan hit many survivors continue to live in tents or damaged houses which are not strong enough to withstand even small storms. An estimated 40 per cent of disaster-affected households are currently living in temporary shelters, increasing their vulnerability to future storms.

Thousands of families in Tacloban have been evacuated to safer areas, with the majority going to the Astrodome.

Many evacuation centres were damaged or destroyed by Haiyan. In some areas, only 8 per cent of evacuation centres pre-Haiyan are still standing. This means that people living in coastal areas and other high risk zones will not have anywhere to go for safety as the typhoon season hits again.

“Governments need to prioritize the construction of safe evacuation centres, update their contingency plans, if we are to be better prepared for this year’s typhoon season. The relocation process must begin immediately, accompanied by proper consultations with affected communities,” said Morgan.

The richest ten per cent of New Zealanders are wealthier than the rest of the population combined as the gap between rich and poor continues to widen.

Oxfam New Zealand’s Executive Director Rachael Le Mesurier said the numbers are a staggering illustration that the wealth gap in New Zealand is stark and mirrors a global trend that needs to be addressed by governments in New Zealand, and around the world, in order to win the fight against poverty.

“Extreme wealth inequality is deeply worrying. Our nation is becoming more divided, with an elite who are seeing their bank balances go up, whilst hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders struggle to make ends meet,” said Le Mesurier.

Figures for the top one per cent are even more striking. According to the most recent data, taken from the 2013 Credit Suisse Global Wealth Databook, 44,000 Kiwis – who could comfortably fit into Eden Park with thousands of empty seats to spare – hold more wealth than three million New Zealanders. Put differently, this lists the share of wealth owned by the top one per cent of Kiwis as 25.1 per cent, meaning they control more than the bottom 70 per cent of the population.

New Zealand’s wealthiest individual, Graeme Hart, is ranked number 200 on the Forbes list of the world’s billionaires, with US$7 billion. That makes his net worth more than the bottom 30 per cent of New Zealanders, or 1.3 million people.

The news comes ahead of the G20 meeting of Deputy Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in Melbourne this weekend, which New Zealand will join at the invitation of Australia, the chair for 2014. Last year the G20 countries endorsed a plan to crack down on multinational corporate tax dodging by taking, “the necessary individual and collective action.”

Le Mesurier said, “Our government says it is significant New Zealand has access to these meetings and praised the G20 as a key vehicle for tackling the world’s economic challenges. Have we taken the necessary individual steps to stop corporate tax dodging in our country and are we well-placed to contribute to this urgent collective action in Melbourne? It’s a fair question.”

In January Oxfam released a landmark report showing half of the world’s population – 3.5 billion – own the same wealth as the 85 richest people. By March the number dropped to only 66 people. Oxfam’s report warned that inequality is creating a vicious circle where wealth concentrated in the hands of a few is used to buy political influence and rig the rules in favour of a small elite. This year US President Barack Obama, the World Economic Forum, the OECD, the Pope, and the heads of the IMF, the World Bank and the UN have all called for action to address inequality, recognising it as bad for growth and the driver of serious social ills.

Child poverty is emerging as a major New Zealand election issue. A new book by Jonathan Boston and Simon Chapple, Child Poverty in New Zealand, explores the nature of the problem and the solutions, while all political parties are touting their strategies for reducing it.

“Extreme inequality is a sign of economic failure. New Zealand can and must do better. It’s time for our leaders to move past the rhetoric,” said Le Mesurier.

“By concentrating wealth and power in the hands of the few, inequality robs the poorest people of the support they need to improve their lives, and means that their voices go unheard. If the global community fails to curb widening inequality, we can expect more economic and social problems.”

The tragic deaths of 18 children from extreme diarrhoea in the Solomon Islands are a stark reminder that while floodwaters have subsided, the impact of the disaster remains life threatening and the need for a rapid, coordinated response essential.

Solomon Islands Ministry of Health has released a nationwide health alert following the fatalities — all children under the age of five — with reports that 1000 people had contracted the diarrhoea-causing rotavirus, and case numbers are expected to rise.

Minimising risk

Oxfam Solomon Islands Country Director Katie Greenwood said it was believed the virus had broken out in flood-affected Honiara and spread across six provinces, and it was essential there now be a swift, coordinated response to contain the disease.

“While the planning, response and surveillance work undertaken by the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation to minimise the outbreak and spread of preventable disease has been commendable and well executed, it is essential that there now be a swift, coordinated response to contain the disease and other impacts of the recent flooding,” Ms Greenwood said.

“Water and sanitation are key areas of concern, with a lack of clean drinking water and sanitation the main risk factors that need to be addressed to prevent the disease from spreading, but we also need an ongoing commitment to the coordination mechanisms established by the Government and supported by UN and NGOs, to improve information sharing and maximise the effectiveness of our joint response.”

Life saving response

As part of its response, Oxfam has distributed vital, lifesaving non-food items such as soap and sanitation kits, in collaboration with other NGOs such as Red Cross and World Vision. Washing hands with soap can reduce the risk of diarrhoeal diseases by 47 per cent.

Oxfam monitoring teams are also regularly visiting evacuation centres and affected communities to speak with flood-affected people about the effectiveness of the response, key safety issues such as violence against women and child protection and assess basic needs, including access to clean drinking water.

“Protection reports have been compiled from the first week of the response and passed to Government and other agencies, providing evidence of the need for targeted response strategies, which take advantage of collaboration to increase efficiency and effectiveness,” Ms Greenwood said.

The “Big 10” food and beverage companies are both highly vulnerable to climate change and major contributors to the problem. Together they emit so much greenhouse gas that, if they were a single country, they would be the 25th most polluting in the world – yet Oxfam says they’re not doing nearly enough to tackle it.

The “Big 10”, Associated British Foods, Coca-Cola, Danone, General Mills, Kellogg, Mars, Mondelez International, Nestlé, PepsiCo and Unilever, should be capable of cutting their combined emissions by a further 80 million tons by 2020, says Oxfam. This would be equivalent to taking all of the cars in Los Angeles, Beijing, London, and New York off the road.

Oxfam’s “Standing on the Sidelines” report published today is part of its “Behind the Brands” campaign looking at the social and environmental policies of the world’s biggest ten food and beverage companies. Previous “Behind the Brands” campaigns have convinced some of the biggest food companies on the planet to adopt stronger policies against land grabs and to improve women’s rights.

The “Big 10” together emit 263.7 million tons of GHGs – more than Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway combined. Emissions from their operations account for 29.8 million tons. Of their total emissions, about half come from the production of agricultural materials from their supply chains, yet these emissions are not covered by the reduction targets the companies have set. It is with these agricultural emissions that Oxfam finds the companies being particularly negligent.

Climate change contributes to storms, floods, droughts and shifting weather patterns. This affects food supplies and is putting pressure on prices, causing more hunger and poverty. Experts predict that by 2050 there will be 50 million more people made hungry because of climate change.

Some of the “Big 10” companies admit that climate change is already beginning to harm them financially. Unilever says it now loses $415 million a year, while General Mills reported losing 62 days of production in the first fiscal quarter of 2014 alone because of extreme weather conditions that are growing worse because of climate change. Oxfam projects that the price of key products like Kellogg’s Corn Flakes and General Mills’ Kix cereal could spike by up to 44% in the next 15 years because of climate change.

Oxfam says that the food system drives around 25% of global GHG emissions and that these emissions are growing as demand for food rises. Experts say that if the world is to keep within a “safe” 2C threshold by 2050, net global emissions from agriculture and forests need to fall to zero and actually become a “carbon sink” by mid-century – working to remove GHGs from the atmosphere. Yet emissions trends are currently heading in the opposite direction.

“Too many of today’s food and beverage giants are crossing their fingers and hoping that climate change won’t disrupt the food system imagining somebody else will fix it. The “Big 10” companies generate over $1 billion a day and have great power to influence global food chains. The industry needs to do more to work towards ‘zero hunger’ in the world while undergoing a revolution in their production methods,” said Oxfam executive director Winnie Byanyima.

Unilever, Coca-Cola, and Nestle were all mentioned as being relatively more assertive in their policies and actions to tackle climate change, though they all still had a lot of room for improvement.

Oxfam singled out Kellogg and General Mills as two of the worst on climate and is calling on them to lead the sector towards more responsible policies and practices. Oxfam says they should disclose their agricultural emissions and biggest polluting suppliers, set targets to cut emissions from their supply chains and speak out more to other industries and governments to address the climate crisis.

Oxfam’s investigation shows:

All of the ‘Big 10’ recognise the need to reduce indirect agricultural emissions within their supply chains and seven of them annually measure and report on these emissions through the Carbon Disclosure Project– but not Kellogg, General Mills or Associated British Foods;

Only Unilever and Coca-Cola commit to reduction targets that address emissions in their supply chains, but none of the ‘Big 10’ have committed to clear reduction targets specific to their agricultural emissions;

None of the ‘Big 10’ require their suppliers to set targets to reduce emissions;

All of the ‘Big 10’ have set targets to reduce emissions from their operations, but these are often not science-based and don’t reflect their full contribution to the problem.

Several of the ‘Big 10’ companies have committed to ambitious timelines to end deforestation in their supply chains for palm oil but only Mars and Nestle extend these policies to other commodities that are drivers of deforestation and land use change;

An Indonesian company that sells palm oil to Cargill, a supplier of Kellogg and General Mills and other food industry giants, is allegedly involved in burning forest land to produce palm oil and contributing to a massive forest fire that alone created greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the annual emission from 10.3 million cars.

With Unilever, Coca-Cola and Mars being the exceptions, the companies are not doing enough to publicly urge government and other businesses to do more to tackle climate change, including by challenging damaging or inadequate positions of trade associations that represent them.

“The food industry has a moral imperative and a business responsibility to dramatically step up its efforts to tackle climate change,” said Byanyima. “The ‘Big 10’ companies are failing to use their power responsibly and we will all suffer the consequences. Kellogg and General Mills in particular are not doing their part. These companies should be leading the fight to help stop climate change from making people hungry. It’s time for them to get off the sidelines.”

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Oxfam in Nigeria has been watching very closely the unfolding situation of the missing girls in Chibok community of Borno State. We are very disappointed that 30 days after their abduction, the girls are yet to be brought back. Our concern goes out to the girls and their families at this very difficult time.

In Oxfam, women are at the heart of everything we do and education is a critical tool for girls to escape deprivation and inequality. This act of terror against the Chibok girls goes beyond their abduction. It strikes at education, the core of the bridge of poverty and discrimination for girls. Girls’ education must, therefore, be protected and promoted by all means necessary.

The conflict Nigeria is experiencing, according to Oxfam in Nigeria Country Director, Chichi Okoye, “has the potential to destabilize the whole region and should not be seen as a Nigerian problem alone.”

We therefore, strongly urge the Federal Government of Nigeria to put every resource available into finding these girls and ending this conflict. We also urge the International Community to provide all the necessary assistance the Nigerian Government needs to bring back our girls and end this conflict.

Oxfam is a confederation of 17 Affiliates committed to creating a just world without poverty. The vision of Oxfam in Nigeria is a Nigeria characterised by a transparent and accountable government, active citizens (men, women and youth), and private sector influencing policies and practices leading to shared growth that is equitable to meet the needs of people, especially the vulnerable poor.

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The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Kiwis across the country are getting together over a cuppa to make a difference in the lives of people living in poverty in the developing world. They’re getting involved in Oxfam’s Morning Tea, a fun and easy fundraising event where people get together at home, work, school, and in their communities to enjoy some Fairtrade goodies and raise money to help people lift themselves out of poverty.

Hosts sign up online and receive a goodie bag containing Fairtrade certified tea, coffee, chocolate and hot chocolate (kindly donated by Scarborough Fair, Caffe L’Affare, Whittaker’s and Kokako) to share with their guests. They collect donations at their event or online in the lead-up, which support Oxfam’s community development programmes in the Pacific and Southeast Asia.

The money raised by New Zealanders goes towards Oxfam’s work with communities at the grassroots level, as well as campaigns against the root causes of poverty. Oxfam also operates disaster relief; in situations such as the recent floods in the Solomon Islands, they were able to move quickly to provide life-saving assistance to people in need.

“The name gives it away. Farmers deserve their fair share of the benefits of the products they produce. When this happens, we see people able to make real improvements to their lives and their communities. It’s the difference between families having enough to eat and being able to build schools and develop businesses. Its part of the solution to poverty, and it’s simple.”

Green is inspired by the Kiwis who have taken on hosting an Oxfam Morning Tea, and are positively impacting the lives of those in extreme poverty:

“The fair trade movement continues to reinforce what we as individuals can collectively achieve. Though it only requires a small change in which products we choose to buy – like Fairtrade certified bananas – it can make all the difference to farmers and their communities.”

Green added: “We’re really grateful to all of the participants and supporters for everything they do to enable Oxfam’s work,”

Oxfam’s Morning Teas are held during Fairtrade Fortnight from May 3-18. To support the fundraising effort or to sign up as a host, visit www.oxfamsmorningtea.org.nz or phone 0800 600 700.

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The safety situation in South Sudan is rapidly deteriorating. South Sudan needs an urgent ceasefire and the international community needs to provide urgent aid to saves lives.

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Headline: Water of major concern as recovery efforts underway in Solomon Islands

With recovery efforts in Honiara and its surrounds underway following devastating flooding, there is growing concern around the lack of clean water and sanitation in the region.

More than 50,000 have been affected across the country and while the flooding has largely subsided, up to 10,000 people remain in evacuation centres and debris and damage continues to hamper recovery efforts.

Clean water is fast becoming a major concern for the region, with the Solomon Islands Water Authority indicating only 60 per cent of Honiara has access to water, of which cannot be guaranteed to be free from contamination.

Oxfam’s Solomon Islands’ Country Director Katie Greenwood says while current recovery efforts are responding to number of urgent needs, it is imperative that water and sanitation is of highest priority for all those working on the emergency response.

“The need for clean water and sanitation is extremely urgent. Both of the city’s main pumping stations are down and any water that can be accessed is potentially contaminated,” Ms Greenwood said.

“We congratulate the Government and other agencies working around the clock on water and sanitation solutions, and we are glad to see that purified water has begun to be delivered to some centres.

“However we are concerned that the combination of flooded areas and contaminated water supplies could lead to a serious outbreak of infection and disease, so it is vital that clean water and sanitation is a key priority in the recovery process.”

Oxfam has been working closely with the Red Cross and Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Services to help ensure water and sanitation issues are being addressed in this critical period.

“Oxfam has been leading the distribution of relief goods by agencies in the region, and multi-agency teams have already delivered hundreds of hygiene kits to the evacuation centres where we need to be particularly vigilant about the spread of disease.

“These hygiene kits ensure people have access to soap, water containers, toothbrushes and other personal items which are essential in mitigating the health risks these types of situations and living conditions present.

“We will continue to work closely with the government and other agencies here to ensure a well-coordinated response and distribution process, and thank all agencies for their ongoing hard work and support.”

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Oxfam Trailwalker team Cool Runnings, has tonight made history, becoming the first team to cross the finish line in the fastest time, two years in a row.
The team – named after the Jamaican bobsled movie – are ecstatic to cross the finish line once again as the fastest team at Oxfam Trailwalker 2014, running the 100 kilometre trail in Taupo in just 13 hours 14 minutes and 6 seconds.
Matt Landreth, Dan Cullen, Mark Henwood and Ryan Lobb once again crossed the finish in true style, speeding across the line in their black, green and yellow lycra suits carrying a makeshift bobsled. The team have so far raised over $1780 to support Oxfam’s work in the developing world.
Team leader Matt Landreth said, “It is so good to do this for Oxfam, and an amazing cause. It makes the event so special”.
Training together has been a challenge this time around as Mark and Dan moved to Christchurch after last year’s Oxfam and so the team have been doing mostly individual training. Mark has been heading into Arthurs Pass most weekends and Dan ran the Motutapu Mountain Marathon a couple of weekends ago in Queenstown. Back in Wellington, Ryan and Matt have been doing trail runs together and a few weekends ago entered the Tararua Mountain Race Men’s Team section and came first – showing that this team definitely still has what it takes!
Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand, Rachael Le Mesurier, said, “Cool Runnings made Oxfam history today. They won for the second time – the first time ever. They made an amazing personal achievement and helped Oxfam Trailwalker 2014 towards our goal of $1 million. To help those in the Pacific challenge poverty and injustice”
Oxfam Trailwalker is about ordinary people doing extraordinary things, and Cool Runnings is a true testament to this.
Participants have come from 90 towns and cities around New Zealand and as far as the UK, Germany, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, the US and Australia. The trail takes walkers through some of New Zealand’s most spectacular scenery, including Huka Falls, Spa Thermal Park, the Waikato River, native bush and the shores of Lake Taupo.
Le Mesurier explains: “Oxfam Trailwalker is an incredible personal challenge but also an extremely important fundraiser for Oxfam. Each team’s fundraising helps Oxfam make a difference for communities throughout the Pacific.”
“It’s inspiring how many Kiwis have pushed their limits at Oxfam Trailwalker. We are hugely grateful for the commitment and effort shown by everyone involved from the participants and support crew to volunteers and local Taupō community”, says Le Mesurier.
A total of 263 teams set off early this morning. Most of them will continue walking all night, finishing by 7pm Sunday. Once the feet have recovered and the legs have revitalised, teams will continue to fundraise through until the cut-off in June, supporting Oxfam’s humanitarian and long-term development work in some of the world’s poorest countries.
The top fundraising team for this year’s event is currently the Walking on Sunshine, who have already raised a phenomenal $14,358, with team Ich’s and Bitches very close behind at $14,304. Total fundraising is now $750,340 and the goal is to raise $1 million in total. These vital funds help people around the world to overcome the injustice of poverty.
oxfamtrailwalker.org.nz.

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Tens of thousands of people in and around Honiara have been left homeless by the recent flash flooding and heavy rains in the Solomon Islands.

Entire communities have been swept away, major access bridges have collapsed and roads have been destroyed with areas of the city isolated by the destruction. While the rain is finally easing, the true impact of this disaster continues to unfold.

Around 14,000 people and 14 communities have been affected by the flooding in Honiara, with 12,000 people seeking refuge in 16 evacuation centres set up around the region. The death toll is currently at 18 and 30 people are reported as missing, with numbers expected to rise.

Another 37,000 have been affected by the flooding in larger Guadalcanal province.

Oxfam’s Solomon Islands’ Country Director Katie Greenwood said the aid organisation is currently providing support to the Red Cross to manage the evacuation centres, which have been inundated with people.

“Around twenty per cent of Honiara’s population are now in the evacuation centres, with 3,500 in just one centre alone,” Ms Greenwood said.

“We are facing enormous numbers here. The centres have been inundated with people who have lost their homes and their communities. Oxfam is urgently working with the Red Cross to coordinate the NGOs in the region so the needs of the people can be met.

Oxfam is also providing technical support and assistance, and remains on standby to help the National Disaster Management Office conduct disaster assessments of the region.

“Oxfam has trained staff on the ground with technical expertise in humanitarian responses such as this. We have relief items ready for distribution, and we are working to identify how we can support life saving efforts in the next stage of the government’s response to this disaster.”

People wanting to donate to Oxfam’s Disaster Response Fund can go to www.oxfam.org.nz or click here

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Initial reports are that 16 people have died, thousands of people have been evacuated and hundreds of homes have been destroyed in flash flooding in the Solomon Islands’ capital of Honiara, where there has been extremely heavy rain over several days.

The Mataniko River broke its banks, washing away several residential areas. Infrastructure has been destroyed, the hospital has been evacuated and heavy rain is still falling.

Oxfam is poised to respond. The organisation’s Country Director Katie Greenwood said, “This is unprecedented, and I’ve seen earthquakes and tsunamis and other very bad flooding incidents. But this flash flooding is unlike anything that I’ve seen previously here in the country.”

Oxfam has humanitarian supplies pre-positioned in the area and staff in Honiara are all accounted for. They are currently assessing the most vital needs for surrounding communities, which are likely to include fresh water, temporary shelter and hygiene kits.

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

People of all ages and fitness levels from across the country will be up bright and early this Saturday morning, gearing up to converge on stunning trails in Taupō to challenge themselves and challenge poverty at Oxfam Trailwalker 2014. The event begins at 6am on Saturday morning and concludes around 7pm on Sunday evening.

Teams of four will walk – or run, if they’re keen – a full 100 kilometres in less than 36 hours, all to help Oxfam raise vital funds to support its work with communities living in poverty in the developing world.

After training for months, people come from over 100 towns and cities across New Zealand and as far as the UK, Germany, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Brunei, the US and Australia.

The trail takes walkers through some of New Zealand’s most spectacular scenery, including Huka Falls, native bush and stunning views across Lake Taupō.

But the event’s draw comes from more than just picturesque scenery. Oxfam Trailwalker is about ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

268 teams have confirmed their participation in this year’s event. In taking on Oxfam Trailwalker each team commits to raising a minimum of $2000 for Oxfam’s work tackling poverty in the developing world. In 2013, Family Guys were the top fundraising team, raising $17,475.90.

Oxfam New Zealand’s new Executive Director, Rachael Le Mesurier explains: “Oxfam Trailwalker is an incredible personal challenge but also an extremely important fundraiser for Oxfam. Each team’s fundraising helps Oxfam make a difference for communities throughout the Pacific.”

“It’s inspiring how many Kiwis have pushed their limits at Oxfam Trailwalker. We are hugely grateful for the commitment and effort shown by everyone involved from the participants and support crew to volunteers and local Taupō community”, says Le Mesurier.

Total fundraising for 2013 was $990,113 and Oxfam hopes to raise over a million dollars in 2014. The event has a huge impact on the lives of people in the developing world – communities are able to build clean water supplies, families can grow more food, women are protected from violence and children are given the chance at an education.

In 2013, Wellington team Cool Runnings crossed the finish line first – in a bob-sled to pay homage to the film Cool Runnings – in just 12 hours, 41 minutes. The team also bet the fundraising target turning over $3240 to Oxfam. They are signed up again for 2014 and are hoping to get themselves and their bobsled over the line in under 12 hours!

Oxfam Trailwalker Event Manager, Zeb Stone, is inspired by the way Kiwis have taken on the Oxfam Trailwalker challenge and are positively impacting the lives of those in extreme poverty.

“Oxfam Trailwalker is unique for the team aspect – this is no relay where you are out there on your own. Teams demonstrate the power of what we can collectively achieve when we work together. By supporting each other, and reaching out to friends, families and colleagues to support them, the event truly demonstrates the power of people against poverty”, says Stone.

Oxfam Trailwalker is held over April 5-6, 2014 at scenic Lake Taupō, teams of 4 will walk 100km together in under 36 hours to help save and improve lives. Oxfam Trailwalker is not a relay, your team of four starts and finishes together. You can contribute to this incredible challenge by supporting and donating to your favourite team at http://www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.nz/

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The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Today, the world’s top scientists published a devastating report on the impacts of climate change.

Climate change is already making it harder for millions to feed their families. Wild weather and unpredictable seasons are causing chaos for farmers. Food prices are going up. Food quality is going down.

Oxfam calculates climate change could put the fight against hunger back by decades. If we continue to let greenhouse gas emissions and temperatures rise we will hit a threshold – in our own lifetimes – beyond which the chance of ending hunger worldwide may be lost forever.

We will not stand by and watch this happen.

People all over the world are doing their bit to tackle climate change. Now governments and big business need to step up and play their part: reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions, helping farmers adapt to changing weather, and ensuring there’s enough good food for everyone.

If we act together, and if we act now, we can stop climate change causing hunger and ensure our children and our grandchildren will always have enough to eat.

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

IPCC final report concludes with heightened warning of severe climate impacts on food; Oxfam says time for inaction is over

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The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Climate change could put back the fight against hunger by decades but our global food system is woefully unprepared to cope with the challenge, said Oxfam today (25 March).

The warning comes as governments gather in Japan to agree a major new scientific report, which is expected to show that the impacts of climate change on food will be far more serious and will hit much sooner than previously thought.

Oxfam’s briefing paper, “Hot and Hungry: How to stop climate change derailing the fight against hunger” analyses ten key factors that will have an increasingly important influence on countries’ ability to feed their people in a warming world.

Oxfam New Zealand’s Senior Policy Advisor Sarah Meads said that across all 10 areas, including international adaptation finance, agricultural investment, crop insurance, humanitarian aid and food stocks, Oxfam found serious gaps between what governments were doing and what they needed to do to protect our food systems.

“The results also show that while many countries – both rich and poor – are unprepared for the impact of climate change on food security, it’s the world’s poorest and most food insecure among them that are least prepared and most at risk,” Meads said.

In the Pacific region, climate change could cause production of sweet potato in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands to decline more than 50 per cent by 2050, maize in Vanuatu and Timor Leste to decline by 6 – 14 per cent by 2050, and sugarcane in Fiji to decline by 7 – 21 per cent by 2070, which will also lead to a decline in exports of some of these items.

Meanwhile, women make up 43 per cent of the agricultural workforce in developing countries, but discrimination makes it hard for them to adapt to climate change. For example, women rarely own the land they farm, so it’s hard to change their farming methods to deal with a changing climate.

Oxfam’s analysis also highlights that a number of countries such as Ghana, Viet Nam and Malawi are bucking the trend by taking action in areas such as social protection, crop irrigation and agricultural investment. This is helping them to outstrip countries such as Nigeria, Laos and Niger on food security, despite sharing similar levels of income and climate risk.

“In poor countries, climate change is the biggest threat to our chances of winning the fight against hunger. It could have grave consequences for the availability of food we eat, but the world is woefully underprepared for it,” Meads said.

Without urgent action to cut greenhouse gas emissions, these impacts will become more serious. It is estimated there could be 25 million more malnourished children under the age of five in 2050 compared to a world without climate change – that’s the equivalent of all under-fives in the US and Canada combined.

“The New Zealand Government must aim for far deeper cuts in New Zealand’s emissions and scale up support to climate change adaptation programs in developing countries,” Meads said. “We can also play a leadership role in supporting a fair and ambitious global climate change framework in 2015 and tackling global hunger by prioritising support to small-scale food producers and doubling aid to food security by 2016.”

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Fifth Assessment Report on Climate Impacts, Vulnerability and Adaptation, due to be published on March 31, is expected to warn that climate change will lead to declines in global agricultural yields of up to 2 per cent each decade at the same time as demand for food increases by 14 per cent per decade. It is also expected to warn of higher and more volatile food prices – Oxfam estimates world cereal prices could double by 2030, with half of this rise driven by climate change.

While temperature rises of just 1.5 degrees will have serious impacts on our food system the IPCC is also expected to highlight a global temperature threshold of 3 – 4 degrees beyond which we will experience runaway global food crises – we are on track to reach this threshold in the second half of this century.

“Hunger is not inevitable,” Meads said. “If governments act on climate change, it will still be possible to eradicate hunger in the next decade and ensure our children and grandchildren have enough to eat in the second half of the century.”

Contacts

For more information, or to arrange and interview with Sarah Meads, Oxfam’s Senior Policy Advisor, contact Lucy Oakshott on 021 88 11 62 or lucy.oakshott@oxfam.org.nz

Notes to editor

Expert spokespeople are available for interview at the IPCC conference in Japan and around the globe.

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

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More than 1 million languish in Darfur camps as new waves of violence force 100,000 more to fleehttps://thedailyblog.co.nz/2014/03/20/more-than-1-million-languish-in-darfur-camps-as-new-waves-of-violence-force-100000-more-to-flee/
Thu, 20 Mar 2014 01:05:03 +0000http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2014/03/20/more-than-1-million-languish-in-darfur-camps-as-new-waves-of-violence-force-100000-more-to-flee/

Source: Oxfam NZ – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: More than 1 million languish in Darfur camps as new waves of violence force 100,000 more to flee

The escalating violence that has gripped Darfur in recent weeks has forced over 100,000 civilians to flee their homes and villages. Many of the Darfuris who have fled have no access to essential humanitarian assistance and are unable to reach safety. Oxfam has launched a response aimed at reaching more than 90,000 people with clean water, emergency latrines, and critical supplies like plastic sheeting for shelter and soap to help prevent outbreaks of disease.

Families living through this ordeal need something more urgently than aid: they need safety. The Government of Sudan and opposition leaders must immediately halt the violence. Oxfam also calls on UNAMID, the joint United Nations and African Union mission in Darfur, to prioritize its mandate to protect civilians and to work with humanitarian actors and others to find ways to protect the men, women, and children of Darfur.

“More than a million people are still living in the camps of Darfur,” says El Fateh Osman, Oxfam’s country director in Sudan. “The fact that some Darfuri refugees have lived in camps for over a decade is just unfathomable. The only thing that will ensure that they will be able to return to their homes and help restore their communities is guarantees for their safety and security.”

More broadly, the upsurge in violence reflects the urgent need for a peace agreement that encompasses all regions and addresses the root causes of the conflicts in Sudan.

Oxfam has been working in Sudan for over 30 years. Working directly and through Sudanese partner organisations, Oxfam is providing more than 420,000 people with aid that includes clean water, sanitation facilities, fuel-efficient stoves, agricultural support like seeds, tools, and extension services, and assistance to help single mothers and other disadvantaged groups create small businesses to support their families.

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

PepsiCo, the world’s second largest food and beverage company, today committed to take steps to stop land grabs from happening in its supply chain after more than 272,000 people, including thousands of Kiwis, signed petitions and took action as part of Oxfam’s campaign to urge food and beverage companies to respect community land rights.

PepsiCo also said it will do sweeping social and environmental assessments across its supply chains beginning with its top sugar sourcing country, Brazil – by the end of 2014 – followed by Mexico, Thailand and the Philippines. In addition the company publicly disclosed, for the first time, its top suppliers and sourcing countries for palm oil, soy and cane sugar, three commodities at the heart of the global land rush.

This announcement comes on the heels of similar commitments made by the Coca-Cola Company in 2013. Associated British Foods (ABF), the other target of Oxfam’s campaign, recently created new policies committing to the principle of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC), which helps ensure communities are consulted and must give consent before the land they are using is sold. Oxfam is in dialogue with ABF-owned Illovo, the largest sugar producer in Africa, to pursue effective implementation of this new policy.

“Consumer power just got a little bit more powerful,” said Winnie Byanyima, executive director of Oxfam International. “The second biggest food and beverage company in the world has committed to put its full weight behind preventing land grabs in its supply chain. Suppliers who want their ingredients to be used in everything from Lays and Doritos to Gatorade and Mountain Dew must now ensure their land is acquired responsibly.”

“This would never have happened without hundreds of thousands of people standing up to insist that companies respect the rights of people in their supply chains. No company is too big to listen to its customers. Together we can transform the food industry if consumers demand it.”

Oxfam welcomes PepsiCo’s commitment to “zero tolerance” for land grabbing, including commitments to:

Adhere to the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent across its operations and require that its suppliers do the same.

Immediately disclose the top three countries and suppliers of its cane sugar, palm oil, and soy.

Conduct and publish third-party social, environmental and human rights assessments – including of land conflicts – in 4 major sourcing countries in Latin America and Asia.

Engage with governments and international bodies to support responsible land rights practices.

Engage with suppliers regarding the cases cited in Oxfam’s Nothing Sweet About It report to pursue resolutions that respond to community concerns.

As the second largest food and beverage company in the world, PepsiCo has immense power to influence its suppliers and the industry. These steps will improve transparency and accountability in PepsiCo’s supply chain and help push stronger standards in the industry. As a result of these commitments, better preventative measures will be taken by PepsiCo to avoid land conflicts that drive farmers out of their homes. The company’s full commitments can be seen at: www.pepsico.com/Purpose/Performance-with-Purpose/Policies

The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo and Associated British Foods faced significant pressure from the public to act to address land rights. Oxfam and partners filed a shareholder resolution last November to raise investor pressure on PepsiCo to address land grabs.

“We applaud PepsiCo’s important step forward in declaring zero tolerance for land grabs,” said Byanyima. “Given the complexity of PepsiCo’s supply chain it is a credit to the company to have made such ambitious commitments. We will monitor the actions the company takes to follow through on these promises. In particular we will continue to advocate, along with local partners, for appropriate resolution for the communities in Brazil and Cambodia who continue to struggle to regain the rights to their land. Other companies must now follow PepsiCo and Coca-Cola’s lead and transform the industry’s approach to land rights.”

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The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

As the anniversary of the Syria crisis approaches, refugees surveyed say they fear they will not see Syria again, according to new research by Oxfam

Urgent need for Geneva peace process to be kick-started as well as improved response from donor countries to UN’s humanitarian appeals

More than 65 per cent of refugees surveyed by Oxfam fear they may not be able to go back to Syria despite desperately wanting to return.

Oxfam researchers surveyed 151 households of refugees in three areas of Jordan representing 1015 people. While the overwhelming majority of refugees want to return to Syria, just a third of those questioned said they could clearly see themselves returning home. Of these refugees, 78 per cent still said that they did not know when this would be.

Now, with the conflict entering its fourth year, Oxfam says the international community must urgently help end the crisis so refugees and displaced people inside Syria can return home and start to rebuild their lives.

Syria’s neighbouring countries have shown incredible generosity in continuing to offer a safe refuge for people fleeing the crisis, but with the number of refugees now topping 2.5m, pressures on basic services is beginning to show.

Andy Baker, who heads up Oxfam’s response to the Syria crisis, said: “The survey shows that for many refugees hope of returning to Syria sometime soon is dwindling. They are living in limbo, battling each day to survive, with little idea of what the future holds. That must change. Syrians deserve better than this.

“Renewed efforts must urgently be made by the international community to help stop the bloodshed and bring an end to this devastating conflict which has destroyed so many lives. It’s time for the next round of the Geneva peace talks to start – and for real and lasting progress to be made around the negotiating table this time,” he said.

The humanitarian response to the crisis has called for unprecedented levels of aid so far. The UN has appealed for a record-breaking $6.5bn, which under-estimates the true scale of the need. A total of $2.3bn was pledged at the Kuwait Donor Conference in January but so far, just 12 per cent of the appeal ($768 million) has been delivered by donor countries since the launch in December.

Oxfam fears that unless donor countries find the money desperately-needed to fund the humanitarian response, then Syrians – both inside Syria and in neighbouring countries – will lack the food, water, shelter, medical care and education they need.

Baker added: “Plans for a long-term recovery need to be drawn up as even if the conflict were to end tomorrow, Syrians would need assistance for years to come.

“We urge donor countries to give generously to the UN appeals to help ensure Syrian people – both inside Syria and in neighbouring countries – have the humanitarian assistance they need.

“In particular, significant support is needed for neighbouring countries. Basic services in countries such as Jordan and Lebanon are stretched to the limit with schools and health clinics responding to meet the dramatically increased demand.”

Abu Mustaffa, father-of-seven, from Hamra governorate, in Syria, who now lives in a tented settlement, in the Jordan Valley, says: “No one can go back to our village, it’s too dangerous and life is too difficult…we want people across the world to help us to get back to our country.

“At the moment, I am not hopeful that there will be any peace, I feel hopeless. We all hope things will get better, but nothing happens. I want to go back to normal life where everything is fine and people have stopped killing each other.

“We hope to go back so that our children will return to their schools to learn, to farm their land and be productive in their own country.”

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

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A year of changing the food systemhttps://thedailyblog.co.nz/2014/02/26/a-year-of-changing-the-food-system/
Tue, 25 Feb 2014 22:05:03 +0000http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2014/02/26/a-year-of-changing-the-food-system/

Source: Oxfam NZ – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: A year of changing the food system

Campaign actions by hundreds of thousands of people in the past 12 months, including thousands of Kiwis, have swayed nine of the world’s ten biggest food and beverage companies to improve their social and environmental policies, says worldwide development organisation Oxfam.

Some leading companies made major strides in improving their policies on land and women’s rights, and carbon emissions. But overall the “Big 10” moved too slowly as a group, held back particularly by some laggard companies that are not showing enough interest or ambition, according to Oxfam’s first annual assessment of its Behind the Brands ranking system.

One year on

Oxfam launched Behind the Brands on February 26, 2013. It ranks the Big 10 on the strength of their policies on transparency, women and other workers, farmers, land, water and climate.

In the past year, nine companies listened and improved their policies. General Mills alone did not and dropped to last place. General Mills sells Betty Crocker, Cheerios, Green Giant, Haagen-Dazs, Old El Paso and Yoplait among other brands.

The top three performers – Nestle (first), Unilever (second) and Coca-Cola (third) – all improved their scores by the biggest margins of 10, 14 and 13 percent respectively. Associated British Foods (ninth) and Kellogg (eighth) improved markedly by eight and six percent respectively. The mid-ranked companies, Danone (sixth tied), Mars (sixth tied), Mondelez (fourth tied) and PepsiCo (fourth tied) also improved but only slightly and need to do much better.

In 2013, “Behind the Brands” focused its public campaigning particularly on land and women’s rights. These issues were being largely ignored by the “Big 10”.

Melting under pressure

In March Oxfam campaigned for the chocolate giants Mars, Mondelez (owner of Cadburys) and Nestle to improve their policies to help end inequality for women farmers – which they did. In October we highlighted policies that Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and ABF needed to strengthen to stop land grabs in their supply chains. Coca-Cola in particular moved quickly to dramatically improve its policies. ABF have also committed to new policies that begin to address the issues and we are in dialogue with PepsiCo to secure similar promises to implement greater protection of land rights across its supply chains.

Right direction

“Most of the ‘Big 10’ are moving in the right direction because hundreds of thousands of consumers and investors controlling trillions in assets are demanding an overhaul to business as usual,” said Oxfam International executive director Winnie Byanyima. “Some companies showed courageous leadership but it appears others need to be pulled along kicking and screaming. It will take time for them to reverse a 100-year history of relying on cheap land and labor to make mass products at huge profits but at high social and environmental costs. The race to the top is underway and there are clear leaders and laggards.”

Progress

Six of the “Big 10” instituted new policies that endorse the principle of Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) that help ensure communities are consulted and must give consent before the land they are using is sold. Seven companies have now signed up to the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles, a high-level commitment by a company to improve the conditions for women impacted by its business. The three biggest cocoa companies, Nestlé, Mondelez and Mars, will release a detailed action plan in May 2014 about how they will address gender inequities in their supply chains. Eight companies improved their policies on climate mainly through better disclosure of their emissions and risks related to climate change. These policy changes are a necessary first step towards better practices and less hunger, poverty and environmental damage felt by communities in food and beverage company supply chains.

“By improving their policies on land, some of the world’s most powerful companies have already helped communities seeking fair compensation for the land that was taken from them nearly a decade ago in countries like Cambodia and Brazil,” said Byanyima. “Companies can open up space to help communities resolve decades-old conflicts once and for all.”

“The most important lesson from the first year of ‘Behind the Brands’ is that companies do respond, quickly and to great effect, when consumers push them toward more responsible methods of production. Down the supply chains we are already seeing agricultural producers and traders beginning to improve their practices to ensure they retain the business of the ‘Big 10’. We need more consumers to speak out in even greater numbers.”

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

World-wide development organisation Oxfam New Zealand has appointed Pacific development specialist and former Executive Director of the New Zealand AIDS Foundation, Rachael Le Mesurier as its Executive Director, taking up the reins held for 10 years by Barry Coates.

Le Mesurier, who will start the position in March 2014, said joining Oxfam was “a once in a life-time opportunity.”

Oxfam New Zealand Board Chair, Nicki Wrighton, welcomed the appointment and said Le Mesurier’s background in advocating for gender equality, health and a fairer society for all would be invaluable in leading Oxfam’s work to fight poverty and injustice, across the Pacific and around the world. She comes to Oxfam as a proven leader with experience of working in the Pacific and a strong track record of advocacy.

“At a time when one person in three in the world lives in poverty, Le Mesurier’s commitment to end injustice and bring about healthier communities and social justice will ensure Oxfam continues to be a leading voice that mobilises the power of people against poverty,” she said.

Le Mesurier said, “I’ve been a long-time supporter of Oxfam’s work and its approach that places human rights and gender equality at the very heart of development.

“Oxfam delivers life-saving emergency responses and life-changing development projects and campaigns. I’m looking forward to working closely with staff, partners and the New Zealand community to achieve Oxfam’s vision and help New Zealand play a strong role in building a more equitable and sustainable world.”

Le Mesurier was a Regional Director with Family Planning New Zealand from 2000 to 2003 and held the position of Executive Director of the New Zealand AIDS Foundation from 2003-2010. She was Executive Director of the New Zealand AIDS Foundation from 2003-2010 and since then has consulted for a number of organisations, including UN Women, UNAIDS and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, on a range of issues including human rights, gender equality, HIV and AIDS, and sexual and reproductive health across the Pacific and in New Zealand.

Nicki Wrighton paid tribute to Coates, saying, “He has been an outstanding Executive Director and an inspirational leader for Oxfam and the NGO community. His depth of knowledge and passionate commitment over the past decade has driven major growth in Oxfam’s programmes to tackle extreme inequality and made Oxfam New Zealand credible and influential within the Pacific and in New Zealand. His advocacy skills have ensured that the voices of the poor influence the local and global decisions that affect them.”

Barry Coates will stand as a Green Party candidate for the next election.

The appointment of Le Mesurier followed a recruitment process, led by the Oxfam New Zealand Board, that extended across New Zealand, the Pacific and internationally, attracting a large field of high-quality applicants. Nicki Wrighton said, “The process of finding a replacement for Barry was humbling, and the number and calibre of applicants from all over the world was staggering. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am thrilled that we now have Rachael as our new Executive Director.”

ENDS//

Editors Notes:

For more information or to arrange an interview with Barry Coates on Oxfam or Rachael Le Mesurier about her work history please contact Lucy Oakshott, Oxfam Media and Communications Officer on 021 88 11 62 or lucy.oakshott@oxfam.org.nz

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The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

An opinion piece from Oxfam’s Executive Director Barry Coates, as published in the New Zealand Herald on February 21, 2014

Many trade negotiators use the bicycle analogy: “If you don’t pedal to keep the bike moving, it will fall over.” This is often used to justify the push for new trade negotiations such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement (TPP).

But if you’re cycling towards the cliff, this is not good advice. In today’s world, the cliff means financial crises and unregulated speculators, trillions of dollars in tax havens, powerful and poorly regulated corporations, growing inequality and dangerous climate change.

At the start of another TPP negotiating session, the text is still a secret. It is time for the Government to stop hiding what it is negotiating. This is not really a trade agreement – only five of 29 chapters are about what most people recognise as trade negotiations. If it was just a trade agreement, fewer people would be worried. But this is mainly about domestic laws. It restricts the powers of governments to regulate in ways that might adversely affect the freedoms of foreign companies.

Even the most rudimentary democracy should require governments to tell Parliament about major changes to policy and regulation. Democracy needs transparency. But in this case, transparency is even more necessary. It is the rights of government that are up for negotiation. The proposal for investor-state dispute settlement would allow a foreign corporation that considers itself to have been adversely affected by government regulation or policy to sue our government, not in our courts, but in an international tribunal.

As a first step, the Trade Minister, Tim Groser must respond to the growing calls for transparency and release the negotiating documents so they can be subjected to parliamentary scrutiny and informed public debate.

Groser has said he does not want transparency because he does not want to negotiate in the media. There is a reason for this. The more people find out about this draft agreement, the more they realise it is not want we want or need in New Zealand.

Many of the proposals in the TPP negotiations are not new. There have been previous attempts to give sweeping new rights to patent holders, more rights to banks and finance companies, rights to companies exporting genetically modified organisms and rights to companies allowing them to challenge government laws on protecting the environment or promoting public health.

Similar proposals for the extension of corporate rights were proposed in the Multilateral Agreement on Investment in 1995 and in proposals for “new issues” in the World Trade Organisation in 1997. After opposition from NGOs and civil society, academics and researchers, businesses and citizens across the globe, these proposals were dropped.

But the large companies lobbying for these agreements did not give up. When the World Trade Organisation started to get too democratic and started negotiations that would respect the rights of developing countries (the Doha Development Round), they switched their attention to a new forum, the TPPA.

We should not allow this agreement to be signed in anything like its current form.

The question for New Zealand and other countries is what kind of international agreements we need. Is our major problem a lack of rights for multinational corporations? Or is our challenge to strengthen our domestic economy and agree fair rules for international trade, while respecting the environment, the rights of workers and the inclusion of all?

The priority should be better policies so our economy supports decent jobs and small business, our tax system ensures everyone pays their fair share, our environment and public health are protected, and companies are properly regulated to avoid more Pike River accidents, finance company collapses and leaky homes.

This means we need a better balance of rights and responsibilities for companies and citizens. Stop pedalling the TPP bicycle and release the text.

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The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Headline: Growing international call for transparency in TPPA negotiations

In the lead-up to the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) negotiations in Singapore February 22-25, Oxfam New Zealand is calling on the New Zealand Trade Minister, Tim Groser to end the secrecy and make negotiating drafts publicly available. The scope of the TPPA is wide ranging and will be significant for generations to come, not just in New Zealand but particularly for poor and marginalised people in the developing world.

Oxfam’s Executive Director, Barry Coates said, “The lack of transparency around these negotiations is out of step even with practices in the World Trade Organisation and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. Citizens and their elected representatives have the right to know what is being decided before it’s too late to do anything about it.”

Behind-closed-doors trade deals

Oxfam has written to Trade Minister Groser to urge him to make the draft negotiating documents public. At present the text is closely held within a small group of negotiators and their corporate advisers. Oxfam’s letter refers to the Open Letter signed by political leaders and senior MPs from seven countries negotiating the TPPA. Even senior political representatives do not know what is in the text. The letter, available on the website www.tppmpsfortransparency.org, states:

“We, the undersigned legislators from countries involved in the negotiation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, call on the Parties to the negotiation to publish the draft text of the Agreement before any final agreement is signed with sufficient time to enable effective legislative scrutiny and public debate.“

If agreed, the TPPA would have long term implications for future rules on trade, investment, intellectual property and copyright, and regulation of international corporations, as well as having implications for a wide range of domestic policies.

“These issues are too important for a few Trade Ministers to decide behind closed doors. In just one of many examples, while New Zealanders may be forced to pay more for medicines, the consequences could be severe for people in extreme poverty in the developing world, who may see their ability to afford life-saving drugs slip away altogether,” Coates said.

Denial of transparency

The TPPA would establish a new framework for international trade and investment agreements, one that focuses on the rights of foreign investors, while undermining the responsibilities of governments to regulate in the public interest. It would be a new precedent for a multilateral agreement to give foreign companies the right to challenge governments in an international tribunal and demand compensation for lost profits. The TPPA would lay the foundation for other agreements that would vitally affect the interests of people living in poverty around the world.

“Governments need to have the powers to promote poverty reduction, tackle rising inequality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the environment. But these are likely to be eroded in the TPPA.

“All New Zealanders will be affected, vulnerable communities in the Pacific and across the developing world will be affected, and future generations will be affected. Our elected representatives should be able to know what New Zealand is proposing in these negotiations and debate our positions and our role,” Coates said.

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

A letter sent to Hon. Tim Groser, the Minister for Trade, from Oxfam New Zealand’s Executive Director Barry Coates.

Dear Tim

In this letter I am highlighting the content of the Open Letter submitted by legislators from seven countries involved in negotiation of the TPPA. This open letter has particular significance for you in your role as Repository for the negotiations, and I urge you to ensure this request is on the agenda of the Trade Ministers when they meet in Singapore on 22 February 2014.

The open letter reflects widespread concern from legislators over the lack of Parliamentary information and debate, and calls for the negotiations to be conducted with transparency.

The letter states:

“We, the undersigned legislators from countries involved in the negotiation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, call on the Parties to the negotiation to publish the draft text of the Agreement before any final agreement is signed with sufficient time to enable effective legislative scrutiny and public debate.“

The letter, available on the website www.tppmpsfortransparency.org, is an unprecedented call from Parliamentarians for sound democratic processes to be followed. Signatories to the letter include senior leaders of political parties and legislators who currently or previously held senior political office in their national governments.

The website also references the previous calls for transparency, including 132 members of Congress (both Democrat and Republican) on 27 June 2012, the Australian Senate Motion of 11 December 2013, the motion of Peru’s Congress of 28 August 2013, the letter signed by 15 senators and 34 deputies of the Chile’s parliament of 8 December 2013, and, as you are aware, the motion submitted by the New Zealand Labour Party on 11 February 2014.

Similar calls for transparency have been submitted by numerous civil society organisations internationally, including Oxfam. The leaks of draft documents on Intellectual Property and Environment chapters have highlighted the importance of transparency since they illustrate the extensive scope of the negotiations, and the crucial importance of Parliamentary and public input to inform the trade-offs that will inevitably be made if agreement is to be reached.

These calls have so far gone unheeded. Although you have stated that you do not want the negotiations to be carried out in the media, I find it difficult to believe that you would not want negotiations to be carried out without the full knowledge and understanding of Parliamentarians and without the trust of the public.

The denial of transparency in the TPPA negotiations falls well short of good international practice in the WTO and other forums, and I note the recent decision by the European Commission to release the draft of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, and to consult widely on its proposals. The standards for TPPA negotiations should not be lower than other international negotiations involving the US, such as the TTIP, unless you consider that MPs in New Zealand and other countries negotiating the TPPA do not deserve a similar level of democracy to EU nations.

In the interests of transparency, I am making this letter available to others, in the hope that more voices will be added to this powerful call for the negotiating texts to be made publicly available and for Parliaments to be able to conduct democratic scrutiny of this agreement before it is signed.

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Some of Europe’s biggest film stars came together to launch today a new short film Future News, directed by David Yates, which brings to light the enormous potential of a Robin Hood Tax.

The film comes out five years on from the start of Europe’s deepest recession in recent history, which has caused wide-spread suffering not only in the EU but around the world. With 11 European countries now looking to implement a Financial Transaction Tax (FTT) this year, which could generate up to €37 billion a year, the video highlights that the revenue could not only be used for alleviating the strain on threatened public services in Europe, but also to tackle poverty and climate change in poor countries.

The film, produced with the support of international agency Oxfam and partners, takes place ten years from now in a Europe which has seen the effective implementation of the FTT by all the key financial players with the exception of the UK. As representatives from Germany, France and Spain highlight the successes of the tax, Britain fumes at missing the opportunity to introduce the 0.05% tax of financial instruments such as shares, bonds and derivatives.

Representing four countries across the European Union, the film highlights the different roles each country is playing in the process. British actors Bill Nighy, who plays a regretful banker, and Andrew Lincoln, both represent a country which, currently, is reluctant to adopt the so-called ‘Robin Hood tax’. Meanwhile, German Heike Makatsch, French Clémence Poesy, and Spanish Javier Cámara, who play slightly more gleeful bankers, hail from countries that hold the key to the success of the EU11 FTT group.

The film comes out the day before a key Franco-German meeting in Paris where Ministers are expected to set out their joint vision of the tax.

QUOTES BY THE DIRECTOR & THE ACTORS

Director David Yates, best known for directing the final four films in the Harry Potter series, said: “I agreed to direct the film because the Robin Hood Tax is a simple yet brilliant idea. We need to learn the lessons of the financial crisis and ensure that banks and hedge funds work in the interests of society not the other way around.”

Andrew Lincoln, star of TV’s the Walking Dead, said: “After six years of shaky recovery and decreasing living standards, it is time for our leaders to be ambitious and act in the interest of the people and the planet.

“It is rare that a tax could garner such incredible support from people across Europe, but the Robin Hood Tax is an obviously fair way to ensure that those responsible for the economic crisis pay to clear up the mess it caused.”

Javier Cámara, star of a Bad Education and I’m So Excited, said: “With up to eight million Spaniards expected to fall into poverty by 2025, the Robin Hood tax presents an opportunity to alleviate the worst suffering of those not just in Europe, but around the world as well. ”

Clémence Poesy, of Harry Potter and In Bruges fame, said: “If France and the other ten countries seriously considering going ahead with the tax decide to do so, up to €37bn could be raised each year. Spending this money on the fight against poverty, including the worldwide AIDS pandemic, and climate change is the right thing to do.”

Heike Makatsch, who starred alongside Nighy in Love Actually, said: “European leaders have spent long-enough talking about the Robin Hood Tax. It is now time to get serious, push aside the discredited arguments against the tax from the financial lobby and implement a fair tax which could help millions of people across Europe and in the developing world.”

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The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Bangui, 10 February: Violence in Central African Republic has seen many large traders and herders targeted and chased from the country, raising fears of a market collapse that would exacerbate the current food crisis, warned international aid organisations today.

Most of Bangui’s food trade relies on around 40 large-scale wholesalers who import food from neighbouring countries and resell on to small traders. A survey conducted by Oxfam and Action Contre La Faim in Bangui’s main wholesale market shows that fewer than ten now remain. Even those remaining said they would flee too if security does not improve quickly.

To make matters worse, 96 per cent of farmers have no access to seeds, according to a UN assessment, despite the beginning of the main planting season less than a month away. With a failed harvest, the existing crisis would worsen and last throughout the coming year.

The UN says that ninety per cent of people are already only eating once a day. Oxfam, Action Contre La Faim, International Medical Corps, Mercy Corps and Tearfund say they fear the situation could become much worse.

Action Contre La Faim’s price monitoring shows that the cost of staple foods such as manioc (cassava) and groundnut has already increased. Manioc has risen by 20 per cent since November. Large wholesalers say that their sales have plummeted by 85-95 per cent over the last two months because people’s incomes have dropped because of the conflict. Meat is now scarce in much of the capital because cattle herders have fled into the bush. Where it is available, meat is now twice as expensive as it was.

Philippe Conraud, Country Director of Oxfam in Central African Republic said the prolonged absence of wholesale traders would be catastrophic. The supply of staple foods could dry up and prices would rocket. “The Central African Republic risks facing a situation akin to a siege. As well as forcing people out of the country, violence and insecurity are stopping food from coming in, and people are unable to get enough food for their families. Many of those who have fled the attacks in Bangui were the backbone of the local economy. The consequences of failing to protect those who remain could be disastrous for everyone.”

Hundreds of food trucks are also stuck at the border with Cameroon because drivers fear being attacked by armed groups.

In one now-empty market where 37 groundnut retailers used to trade, only three remain. One of those traders said, “There is no security, everyone has left. Before there were up to 1000 bags in the warehouse, now there are none. I have already sent my wife and children to Chad, and when I have sold what I have left, I will leave too.”

Christopher Rae, Emergency Team Lead of International Medical Corps said, “We still need to do everything we can to save the coming harvest but the reality is that it will inevitably be poor. This can only deepen and prolong the current crisis. We have to both scale up emergency support for hungry families now, as well as start preparing to provide sustained support for the year to come”.

According to the United Nations, 1.3 million people are already in need of immediate food assistance, based on an assessment in Bangui and the northwest regions. The International Organisation for Migration recently estimated that 838,000 are displaced within the country – 414,000 in Bangui – since the beginning of December 2013. A further 245,000 Central Africans and 31,000 citizens of other countries have fled the country altogether.

Ends

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The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Mali is in danger of frittering away the opportunity to tackle corruption and stamp out the abuse of power by officials as democracy returns to the country, two years on from the 2012 coup.

Malian people need to see significant changes in the way the country is governed, including the fairer distribution of development aid, according to a new report today. The Mali government and donors meet in Brussels on the 5th of February to discuss the country’s future.

Worldwide development organisation Oxfam and its Malian civil society partners have co-authored the paper, What next for Mali? Four priorities for better governance. They say donors also must do more to ensure that the relationship between the Malian government and its citizens is strengthened and made more transparent, fair, inclusive and accountable.

Mohamed L. Coulibaly, Country Director for Oxfam in Mali said, “Mali stands at a cross-roads. Officials meeting in Brussels this Wednesday 5th of February must place justice, reconciliation, citizen participation, and equitable development at the heart of their discussions. Civil society has been working on these issues for a long time and we are ready to work with the government too.”

At the 2013 Brussels summit donors committed €3.2 bn to the development and reconstruction of Mali. However, exactly how much of that actually made it into Mali remains difficult to assess, due to the complexity of the commitments. Funds that were received have helped to support elections and some reconstruction efforts, but much more is needed to ensure the restoration of a democratic order, good governance and to put an end to corruption.

Malian civil society organisations and Oxfam want all pledges properly tracked, as recommended by the International Initiative on Aid Transparency (IIATA).

Ibrahima Koreissi, national coordinator for Deme So Association said, “Peace and stability require justice and reconciliation. Even before the conflict, there was very little access to justice for women and men living in poverty outside the capital of Bamako. Donors and the government of Mali are responsible for the transition to peace providing justice for all, including victims of abuse.”

Mali only has around 270 lawyers among a population of 15 million, and just four women in a cabinet of 34 ministers. Its Commission for Truth, Justice and Reconciliation is not yet fully functioning. Donors and the Malian government must commit to making justice more effective and increase women’s participation in political processes.

Bintou Samaké, Wildaf president said: “Malian women should be equally represented in decision-making positions, starting within the government. Only 1 per cent of Mali’s mayors are women. The EU generously supported the presidential and legislative elections, so it’s important that during the April municipal elections the EU and other donors specifically support women to be candidates.”

Coulibaly said: “The situation in northern Mali remains fragile. Donors must not forget that more than 800,000 people need immediate food assistance due to the impact of conflict, weak harvests, and poor rains. Mali needs a comprehensive response to the many challenges it faces.”

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Mali is in danger of frittering away the opportunity to tackle corruption and stamp out the abuse of power by officials as democracy returns to the country, two years on from the 2012 coup.

Malian people need to see significant changes in the way the country is governed, including the fairer distribution of development aid, according to a new report today. The Mali government and donors meet in Brussels on the 5th of February to discuss the country’s future.

Worldwide development organisation Oxfam and its Malian civil society partners have co-authored the paper, What next for Mali? Four priorities for better governance. They say donors also must do more to ensure that the relationship between the Malian government and its citizens is strengthened and made more transparent, fair, inclusive and accountable.

Mohamed L. Coulibaly, Country Director for Oxfam in Mali said, “Mali stands at a cross-roads. Officials meeting in Brussels this Wednesday 5th of February must place justice, reconciliation, citizen participation, and equitable development at the heart of their discussions. Civil society has been working on these issues for a long time and we are ready to work with the government too.”

At the 2013 Brussels summit donors committed €3.2 bn to the development and reconstruction of Mali. However, exactly how much of that actually made it into Mali remains difficult to assess, due to the complexity of the commitments. Funds that were received have helped to support elections and some reconstruction efforts, but much more is needed to ensure the restoration of a democratic order, good governance and to put an end to corruption.

Malian civil society organisations and Oxfam want all pledges properly tracked, as recommended by the International Initiative on Aid Transparency (IIATA).

Ibrahima Koreissi, national coordinator for Deme So Association said, “Peace and stability require justice and reconciliation. Even before the conflict, there was very little access to justice for women and men living in poverty outside the capital of Bamako. Donors and the government of Mali are responsible for the transition to peace providing justice for all, including victims of abuse.”

Mali only has around 270 lawyers among a population of 15 million, and just four women in a cabinet of 34 ministers. Its Commission for Truth, Justice and Reconciliation is not yet fully functioning. Donors and the Malian government must commit to making justice more effective and increase women’s participation in political processes.

Bintou Samaké, Wildaf president said: “Malian women should be equally represented in decision-making positions, starting within the government. Only 1 per cent of Mali’s mayors are women. The EU generously supported the presidential and legislative elections, so it’s important that during the April municipal elections the EU and other donors specifically support women to be candidates.”

Coulibaly said: “The situation in northern Mali remains fragile. Donors must not forget that more than 800,000 people need immediate food assistance due to the impact of conflict, weak harvests, and poor rains. Mali needs a comprehensive response to the many challenges it faces.”

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Bamako, Mali: Ahead of the Sahel Appeal to be launched by the United Nations on the 3rd February 2014 in Rome, 11 humanitarian agencies warn that northern Mali is set to face another serious food crisis unless funds are rapidly mobilised.

More than 800,000 people need immediate food assistance, and across the country three million people are at risk of not finding enough to eat, according to the result of the December 2013 Harmonised Framework which convenes non-governmental organisations (NGOs), governments, and United Nations agencies working on food security in the Sahel . More than half of these people are living in northern Mali.

The combined effects of armed conflict and the lasting impacts of the 2012 food crisis in the north of Mali, combined with poor recent harvests, have had a severe effect on populations, limiting access to food and livelihoods for the most vulnerable, said ACF, ACTED, AVSF, CARE International, DRC, Handicap International, IRC, Plan International, Oxfam, Solidarités International and World Vision.

Franck Vannetelle, Director of Action Against Hunger in Mali, said: “The number of vulnerable people facing a new food crisis is likely to double if the needs identified are not met quickly”. In July 2013, a World Food Programme (WFP) report highlighted that 75.2 per cent of households were food insecure in the regions of Gao, Timbuktu, Kidal and Mopti. This number has continued to rise in recent months.

The ‘lean’ season – when food stocks run low before the next harvest – will start early this year. The late arrival of rains, the low availability of cereal stocks in households, poor harvests in some parts of the country and the failure of markets to function properly mean that people have not been able to recover since last year’s lean season. Herders have not been able to use traditional pastures and water points critical for the survival of their animals because of insecurity.

Hélène Quéau, Head of Mission for Solidarités International in Mali, said : “The volatile security situation increases pressure on infrastructure and basic services in more secure areas, and disrupts the economic activities essential for people to recover, making them vulnerable to the slightest shock”. The difficult situation is likely to see more people migrating and getting in to debt in order to cope.

Humanitarian organisations are calling for a rapid response. The UN’s emergency appeal for Mali in 2013 was only 55 per cent funded. The outlook for 2014 is already proving bleak with a drastic cut in contributions from certain emergency and development donors. Greater technical and financial resources are needed to respond to the onset of this food crisis.

Osseni Amadou, Emergency Coordinator at CARE International Mali, said: “Food and nutrition support in the north of Mali should be stepped up in anticipation of the early hunger gap in 2014”. It should be done in parallel with interventions to support capacities of population to be resilient and also anticipate and prepare to recurrent crisis.

Mohamed Coulibaly, Oxfam Director in Mali said: “The response to immediate humanitarian needs must be combined with a vision and commitment to implementing sustainable solutions. We have to invest in agricultural and pastoral policies that place family farming at their heart, as well as introduce social protection policies and food reserves that make people less vulnerable to shocks.”

Oxfam’s GROW campaign is addressing the root causes of food insecurity and helping to fix the food system long-term so poor communities aren’t hit by successive food crises. There is still much to do. Oxfam aims to respond immediately to humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters, but we can only do this if we have funds ready when they are needed. You can help:

Oxfam aims to respond immediately to humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters, but we can only do this if we have funds ready when they are needed. You can help:

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The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Bamako, Mali: Ahead of the Sahel Appeal to be launched by the United Nations on the 3rd February 2014 in Rome, 11 humanitarian agencies warn that northern Mali is set to face another serious food crisis unless funds are rapidly mobilised.

More than 800,000 people need immediate food assistance, and across the country three million people are at risk of not finding enough to eat, according to the result of the December 2013 Harmonised Framework which convenes non-governmental organisations (NGOs), governments, and United Nations agencies working on food security in the Sahel . More than half of these people are living in northern Mali.

The combined effects of armed conflict and the lasting impacts of the 2012 food crisis in the north of Mali, combined with poor recent harvests, have had a severe effect on populations, limiting access to food and livelihoods for the most vulnerable, said ACF, ACTED, AVSF, CARE International, DRC, Handicap International, IRC, Plan International, Oxfam, Solidarités International and World Vision.

Franck Vannetelle, Director of Action Against Hunger in Mali, said: “The number of vulnerable people facing a new food crisis is likely to double if the needs identified are not met quickly”. In July 2013, a World Food Programme (WFP) report highlighted that 75.2 per cent of households were food insecure in the regions of Gao, Timbuktu, Kidal and Mopti. This number has continued to rise in recent months.

The ‘lean’ season – when food stocks run low before the next harvest – will start early this year. The late arrival of rains, the low availability of cereal stocks in households, poor harvests in some parts of the country and the failure of markets to function properly mean that people have not been able to recover since last year’s lean season. Herders have not been able to use traditional pastures and water points critical for the survival of their animals because of insecurity.

Hélène Quéau, Head of Mission for Solidarités International in Mali, said : “The volatile security situation increases pressure on infrastructure and basic services in more secure areas, and disrupts the economic activities essential for people to recover, making them vulnerable to the slightest shock”. The difficult situation is likely to see more people migrating and getting in to debt in order to cope.

Humanitarian organisations are calling for a rapid response. The UN’s emergency appeal for Mali in 2013 was only 55 per cent funded. The outlook for 2014 is already proving bleak with a drastic cut in contributions from certain emergency and development donors. Greater technical and financial resources are needed to respond to the onset of this food crisis.

Osseni Amadou, Emergency Coordinator at CARE International Mali, said: “Food and nutrition support in the north of Mali should be stepped up in anticipation of the early hunger gap in 2014”. It should be done in parallel with interventions to support capacities of population to be resilient and also anticipate and prepare to recurrent crisis.

Mohamed Coulibaly, Oxfam Director in Mali said: “The response to immediate humanitarian needs must be combined with a vision and commitment to implementing sustainable solutions. We have to invest in agricultural and pastoral policies that place family farming at their heart, as well as introduce social protection policies and food reserves that make people less vulnerable to shocks.”

Oxfam’s GROW campaign is addressing the root causes of food insecurity and helping to fix the food system long-term so poor communities aren’t hit by successive food crises. There is still much to do. Oxfam aims to respond immediately to humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters, but we can only do this if we have funds ready when they are needed. You can help:

Oxfam aims to respond immediately to humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters, but we can only do this if we have funds ready when they are needed. You can help:

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The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

In the luxurious ski resort of Davos, business leaders have been confronted with some uncomfortable truths. Just one per cent of the world’s people own 65 times the assets of the poorest 3.5 billion people. It’s enough to make them choke on their canapés.

This growing divide between rich and poor has become so serious that business leaders converging on the Swiss ski resort of Davos this week have rated it as the highest risk facing the world economy over the coming decade. Extreme concentrations of wealth are not just socially unjust but they stunt long-term economic growth too, making it more difficult to reduce poverty.

Hyper-inequality is not an inevitable outcome. It is a result of political capture that creates wealth for the rich and marginalises others. The rules are rigged through financial deregulation, tax evasion, unregulated monopolies, policies that marginalise women, corruption and excessive profits from mining across rich and poor countries alike. A recent survey in Spain, Brazil, India, South Africa, the UK and the US showed that a majority of people believe that laws are skewed in favour of the rich.

In New Zealand, while the share of income for the top one per cent increases, one in five children live in poverty. In the United States, this one per cent takes a bigger slice of the pie than at any point since the eve of the Great Depression. In India, the number of billionaires has increased tenfold in the past decade. In Europe, poor people struggle with post-recovery austerity policies while moneyed investors benefit from bank bailouts. Africa has had a resource boom in the last decade but most people there still struggle daily for food, clean water and health care.

Extreme inequality is not only a major risk to human progress, it also undermines democratic governance, fuels social unrest and threatens security on a global scale. In 70 years of work fighting poverty and injustice, Oxfam has witnessed first-hand how the wealthiest individuals and groups capture political power at the expense of the rest of society. The lowest tax rates, the best health and education and the opportunity to influence are being given not just to the rich but also to their children. Without a concerted effort to tackle inequality, the cascade of privilege and of disadvantage will continue down the generations, and equality of opportunity will be just a dream.

This trend can be reversed quickly. There are clear examples of success. The US and Europe in the three decades after World War II reduced inequality while growing prosperous. Ghana’s recent Petroleum Revenue Management Bill shows how targeted regulation can promote shared prosperity. Latin America has significantly reduced inequality in the last decade through progressive taxation, public services, social protection and decent work. Central to this progress has been popular politics that represent the majority, instead of being captured by a small minority.

These are issues for us in New Zealand, as well as for developing countries. The Finance Minister, Bill English, is in Davos and has called for international cooperation to ensure that companies like Google, Apple and Starbucks pay their fair share of taxes. That would be a good start, but far more needs to be done to tackle rampant inequality at home and abroad. Governments need to focus on ending extreme poverty, and include it in the new post-2015 agreement being developed through the United Nations. Stronger and better regulation of markets is essential to avoid the boom-bust cycle – speculative profits for the few and the costs of failure borne by the many.

In Davos, the economic elite are being challenged to stop using their wealth to rig the rules and undermine the democratic will of their fellow citizens. They should publish their investments and ensure that decent jobs and living wages are paid throughout all the companies they own or control. They must end the financial secrecy keeping trillions hidden in tax havens. They need to support progressive policies that provide high quality education, health care and social protection for all.

But don’t hold your breath. It’s not the “Masters of the Universe” in Davos who will insist on tackling the deep inequalities that blight our societies. It’s us.

Barry Coates is the Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand

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The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Wealthy elites have co-opted political power to rig the rules of the economic game, undermining democracy and creating a world where the 85 richest people own the wealth of half of the world’s population, worldwide development organisation Oxfam warns in a report published today.

Working For the Few, published ahead of this week’s World Economic Forum in Davos, details the pernicious impact that widening inequality is having in both developed and developing countries, helping the richest undermine democratic processes and drive policies that promote their interests at the expense of everyone else.

Rising concerns

Oxfam New Zealand Executive Director, Barry Coates, said, “Rising inequality is a pervasive and deep problem, within and between societies. It is not only the elites gathering in Davos who need to hear the message – this affects societies in the developing world, including our Pacific island neighbours, as well as countries like New Zealand.

“High inequality means worse outcomes for all, even the rich, as a result of social problems such as low education and skills, ill-health, crime, violence and social unrest,” said Coates.

The report says that there is a growing global public awareness of this power-grab. Polls done for Oxfam in six countries (Brazil, India, South Africa, Spain, the UK and US) show that most people questioned in all those countries believe that laws are skewed in favour of the rich.

Action needed

Oxfam wants governments to take urgent action to reverse the trend. It is asking those attending the WEF to make a six-point personal pledge to tackle the problem.

Winnie Byanyima, Oxfam Executive Director who will attend the Davos meetings, said: “It is staggering that in the 21st Century, half of the world’s population own no more than a tiny elite whose numbers could all sit comfortably in a single train carriage.

“In developed and developing countries alike, we are increasingly living in a world where the lowest tax rates, the best health and education and the opportunity to influence are being given not just to the rich but also to their children.

“Without a concerted effort to tackle inequality, the cascade of privilege and of disadvantage will continue down the generations. We will soon live in a world where equality of opportunity is just a dream. In too many countries economic growth already amounts to little more than a ‘winner takes all’ windfall for the richest,” said Byanyima.

The problem of tax havens

Policies successfully imposed by the rich in recent decades include financial deregulation, tax havens and secrecy, anti-competitive business practice, lower tax rates on high incomes and investments and cuts or underinvestment in public services for the majority. Since the late 1970s, tax rates for the richest have fallen in 29 of the 30 countries for which data are available, meaning that in many places the rich not only get more money but also pay less tax on it.

This capture of opportunities by the rich at the expense of the poor and middle classes has helped create a situation where seven out of every ten people in the world live in countries where inequality has increased since the 1980s and one per cent of the world’s families now own 46 per cent of its wealth (US$110 trillion).

The report says:

Globally, the richest individuals and companies hide trillions of dollars away from the tax man in a web of tax havens around the world. It is estimated that US$21 trillion is held unrecorded and off-shore;

In the US, years of financial deregulation directly correlates to the increase in the income share of the top one per cent which is now at its highest level since the eve of the Great Depression;

In India, the number of billionaires increased tenfold in the past decade, aided by a highly regressive tax structure and the wealthy exploiting their government connections, while spending on the poorest remains remarkably low;

In Europe, austerity has been imposed on the poor and middle classes under huge pressure from financial markets whose wealthy investors have benefited from state bailouts of financial institutions;

In Africa, global corporations – particularly those in extractive industries – exploit their influence to avoid taxes and royalties, reducing the resources available to governments to fight poverty.

Oxfam’s demands

Oxfam is calling on those gathered at WEF to pledge to:

Support progressive taxation and not to dodge their own taxes;

Refrain from using their wealth to seek political favours that undermine the democratic will of their fellow citizens;

Make public all the investments in companies and trusts for which they are the ultimate beneficial owners;

Challenge governments to use tax revenue to provide universal healthcare, education and social protection for citizens;

Demand a living wage in all companies they own or control;

Challenge other members of the economic elite to join them in these pledges.

Oxfam is calling on governments to tackle inequality by cracking down on financial secrecy and tax dodging; investing in universal education and healthcare; and agreeing a global goal to end extreme inequality in every country as part of the post-2015 Millennium Development Goal negotiations.

Coates said, “Rising inequality is not an inevitable trend. It results from the policies of governments and the governance of corporations that allows over-inflated salaries and income to the few; ‘opportunity capture’ for the children of the wealthy; and ‘policy capture’ so that the rules are bent to favour those who are already rich.

“Meeting the challenges of ending extreme poverty means that we also need to tackle extreme inequality,” said Coates.

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Headline: New Zealand Beaten by Australia in Oxfam’s new global food table

New Zealand is ranked 23rd in the world for having the most plentiful, nutritious, healthy and affordable diet, falling behind Sweden (4th), Australia (8th), the United Kingdom and the USA (21st) among others, according to a new food database by worldwide development organisation Oxfam.

The Netherlands took out the No. 1 spot beating France and Switzerland into second place. Chad is last at 125th behind Ethiopia and Angola.

European countries occupy the entire top 20 bar one – Australia. African countries occupy the bottom 30 places in the table except for four – Laos, Bangladesh, Pakistan and India are there too.

Oxfam’s “Good Enough to Eat” index compares 125 countries where full data is available to create a snapshot of the different challenges people face in getting food. Oxfam’s GROW campaign is calling for urgent reform to the way food is produced and distributed around the world to end the scandal of one in eight people going hungry despite there being enough to feed everyone. The new index looks at whether people have enough to eat, food quality, affordability, and dietary health.

On Obesity, New Zealand is in the worst third of countries, sharing 39th position with Slovenia.

Oxfam International Executive Director Winnie Byanyima said “This index lays bare the common concerns that people have with food regardless of where they come from. It reveals how the world is failing to ensure that everyone is able to eat healthily, despite there being enough to go around.”

Food in Guinea, The Gambia, Chad and Iran costs people two-and-a-half times more than other consumer goods, making those the most expensive countries for citizens to buy food. The price of food in the US is relatively the cheapest and most stable in the world. Angola and Zimbabwe suffer from the most volatile food prices, researchers found.

The countries whose citizens struggle for enough food, with the worst rates of malnourishment and underweight children, are Burundi, Yemen, Madagascar and India. On the other side of the table, Cambodia and Burundi are countries that score better by having among the lowest levels of obesity and diabetes in the world, while US, Mexico, Fiji, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia score most poorly with high rates of diabetes.

“Poverty and inequality are the real drivers of hunger. Hunger happens where governance is poor, distribution weak, when markets fail, and when people don’t have enough money and resources to buy all the good and services they need,” Byanyima said. “Having sufficient healthy and affordable food is not something that much of the world enjoys.”

Oxfam is working worldwide to provide long-term solutions that will help people grow enough food to eat and make a living. In Chad, Oxfam is helping farmers grow and diversify more crops, providing veterinary training to help ensure cattle are stronger and helping to build more food storage, so that people are better prepared with the next drought conditions.

Oxfam’s GROW campaign is calling for more investment in small-holder agriculture and better infrastructure to boost crop production, prevent waste and improve access to markets. It wants action to tackle climate change, better regulation of food commodities markets to prevent food price hikes and improved land rights so people do not lose the land they rely upon to grow food.

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The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Oxfam New Zealand has sent an emergency response team to Tonga today and is gearing up its aid efforts following reports of complete destruction left by Cyclone Ian to the northern islands of Ha’apai.

Matelita Blake-Hour, from Oxfam’s partner organisation in Tonga, The Tongan National Youth Congress (TNYC), is in Ha’apai as part of the Tongan Government’s assessment team, surveying the damage to determine the most urgent needs.

“I’ve never seen anything so fierce and so scary in my life,” said Blake-Hour today. “In some areas I can see the path the cyclone cut through the trees, it’s complete destruction – every house has been destroyed and every family affected, but then out of the path of the cyclone some trees and buildings are still standing.

Ms Blake-Hour said she thinks there is about 90% destruction to the low-lying, outer islands of Foa, Ha’ano and Mo’unga’one, and about 80% to Pangai, the capital of Ha’apai.

“Houses, trees, even plants are destroyed. There’s no fruit, no crops, or anything. Some houses have been lifted up and put down somewhere else.

“Even the road from Pangai to the airport, the sea has picked it up and put it on the other side. Even the strong church building – its roof has been lifted off.

“I have seen cyclones before, many times, but nothing like this. People are homeless and living in evacuation centres, they’ve lost everything. It is good when they see us, they calm down, they know we will help.”

Oxfam sent two specialists to Tonga today and a third will follow tomorrow to help with water, sanitation, livelihoods and food.

Carlos Calderon, Pacific Humanitarian Manager of Oxfam New Zealand, will join the team in Tonga tomorrow. He said: “We will help with clean water and re-establishing crops which will give people food to eat, but also to sell so they can support themselves, recover markets and re-build their lives. For people who get their incomes from the land, this is essential. We want to help them return to normality as soon as possible.”

Ms Blake-Hour said that clean water for drinking and sanitation was a real concern as many people on the islands rely on rooftop rainwater catchment systems for drinking water, and wells for washing and cleaning water. Although water was stored prior to the cyclone in large tanks, most of it is now undrinkable.

“With all the roofs off houses there is no way for people to get clean water and most of the wells and water tanks have turned brown and taste salty from the sea. Dirt has got in and we are telling people not to drink it because it will make them sick,” she said.

Oxfam’s local partner organisation the Tongan National Youth Congress (TNYC), has had programmes in Ha’apai for almost two years, including three organic coconut oil processing sites that provide a much-needed way for local farmers to earn a living exporting coconut oil to America.

Ms Blake-Hour has come across two out of three sites in her assessments with the Tongan government, both of which were found damaged.

“At one site the roof is torn off, at another the dryer is destroyed and all of the coconuts have been ripped from the trees. We need to collect the coconuts quickly and process them or we will lose a lot of oil, which means no way for people who have lost everything to make money and rebuild their lives.”

You can also donate over the phone 0800 600 700 or make an automatic $3 donation by texting HELP to 4847.

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Reports of damage caused by cyclone in Tonga: Oxfam prepares to send staff

Oxfam New Zealand is preparing to send staff to Tonga within 48 hours to assess the situation on the ground and identify the most urgent needs for people following reports of severe damage caused by Cyclone Ian to Tonga’s northern island group of Ha’apai.

The extent of the devastation is still unclear but a representative from the National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) has reported that publicbuildings like the Palace, market, magistrate and police offices have been partly damaged. In Pangai, the capital of Ha’apai, one home was lifted and transported 50 metres before being set down, and many other houses have been badly damaged.

Oxfam’s Executive Director, Barry Coates, says: “Communications are proving difficult and Oxfam is still trying to establish the facts but our experience of cyclones in other contexts suggests that people will need food, shelter, clean water and sanitation.

“Once the critical needs are assessed we’ll decide whether we need to help with the supply of clean water and sanitation or recovering farmers, fishermen and markets to secure the food supply – or both. We have experienced engineers and farming specialists ready to go,” he says.

In Tonga, including in Ha’apai, Oxfam has partnered with Tonga National Youth Congress (TNYC) since 1991. Through the partnership, hundreds of families are producing virgin organic coconut oil for export which is generating valuable income. These programmes increase people’s resilience and enable quicker recovery when disaster strikes.

Coates adds: “This disaster is in our neighbourhood. Reports are still filtering in, but it is becoming clear that severe damage is likely. This is a crucial time to support our Tongan neighbours.”

Oxfam is accepting donations for our rapid response emergency fund online, by phone 0800 600 700, or to make an automatic $3 donation, please text HELP to 4847.

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Oxfam New Zealand is ready to respond to cyclone Ian which is due to hit Tonga overnight. Ian is slow moving, which leads to greater destruction. Heavy rain, strong winds, high swells and flash flooding are expected.

The Fiji Met Service suggests the cyclone will pass by Vava’u (population 15,000) around midnight New Zealand time, and then Ha’apai (population 6,600) around midday New Zealand time, Saturday 11 January.

Oxfam is expecting to send emergency staff to Tonga to assess the situation on the ground, and identify the most urgent needs.

Carlos Calderon, Pacific Humanitarian Manager for Oxfam New Zealand, says: “Once the urgent needs are assessed we are expecting to help coordinate the supply of clean water and sanitation for those affected by the disaster.”

Oxfam, along with its partner the Tongan National Youth Congress (TNYC), has virgin coconut oil programmes in both Vava’u and Ha’apai. Oxfam is liaising with TNYC and the Tongan Red Cross to prepare for an appropriate and coordinated response.yclone Ian expected to hit Tonga: Oxfam poised to respond

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The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

One month on, international response has been massive but serious gaps remain

Despite widespread destruction and massive logistical obstacles in the wake of the Philippines typhoon, fast action backed by generous international support and the solidarity of local people has helped millions of people survive and prevented any major outbreak of disease, Oxfam said today.

One month on from the worst typhoon to make landfall ever recorded, the international agency says that the Philippines authorities have stepped up to actively lead and coordinate a huge complex aid effort. That effort – combined with widespread evacuations ahead of the storm – has helped to save lives and prevent a public health emergency despite the destruction of hospitals, clinics, and water supplies.

Donors and members of the public from around the world gave generous support: nearly $400m of aid was pledged within the first few weeks and military assets were provided that helped to overcome the extreme logistical challenges. These obstacles include damaged airports, seaports, roads and bridges, vast jungles of debris, as well as a loss of communications that plunged much of the disaster zone into an information black hole.

Barry Coates, Oxfam New Zealand Executive Director said: “We can be proud of New Zealand’s response to Typhoon Haiyan – there has been a humbling effort from the New Zealand public who have fundraised up and down the country to contribute to Oxfam’s appeal, a generous response from the New Zealand government and a very useful contribution from the New Zealand defence forces. Now the hard stuff starts. Oxfam has been in Philippines for 60 years and we will be there for the long haul to help people recover their families, communities and livelihoods. We hope that the public will join us in continuing our contribution to help people not only recover, but build back better.”

After the initial chaos caused by Haiyan’s impact, the United Nations, local, national and international organisations have also worked well together with the government, to improve coordination and expand the aid effort. Oxfam has now reached a quarter of a million people with aid, including by helping to restore Tacloban’s water supply.

Oxfam’s Country Director in the Philippines Justin Morgan said: “It’s been immensely challenging to get aid through, but the response, both from the people of the Philippines and the international community, has been amazing.

“Our main concern now is supporting rural communities who have not received anything like adequate assistance yet and making sure people are able to quickly rebuild their homes, infrastructure and livelihoods, in a way that will make them more resilient to future shocks.”

A report published today by Oxfam, warns that major gaps remain, with millions of people especially in rural and hard to reach areas, having received little official aid. Many have relied on local charities, churches and their fellow citizens at home and abroad. Oxfam says the relief effort must expand faster to provide enough assistance to everyone who needs it.

In addition, substantial longer term support will be needed to prevent affected areas, many of which were already amongst the poorest parts of the Philippines, sliding further into poverty, and exposing communities to greater risks from the next typhoon in a disaster prone country.

Massive needs remain. Nearly 3 million people are relying on some form of food assistance and 4 million people are homeless and in need of shelter. An Oxfam assessment in northwest Leyte found some communities had nothing to eat except the food aid they received and less than 10 per cent had proper emergency shelter. There are also risks to the safety of vulnerable groups such as woman and children. The need to accelerate and expand the aid effort is indisputable.

Local organisations are worried that climate change will likely cause typhoons like Haiyan to be more common in the future.

Voltaire Alferez, National Coordinator of one of Oxfam’s partners in the Philippines, Aksyon Klima Pilipinas, said: “Typhoon Haiyan is the shape of things to come – with climate change set to increase the severity of typhoons in the region and projected sea level rises to compound the effects of deadly storm surge. The Philippines will need sustained support and programmes to prepare for more storms like this. Ultimately it also needs action on reducing the threat of climate change.”

The Philippines is hit by approximately 20 typhoons a year and has been relatively successful at preparing for and reducing the risk of disasters. It evacuated 800,000 people in the wake of the storm which undoubtedly saved many lives. However it needs to redouble its efforts to make sure those authorities and organisations at the frontline of any disaster response must be better equipped to deal with future shocks. The underlying poverty and inequality that made people vulnerable lie at the heart of why the communities in the Philippines were so severely hit. Addressing these issues should be a priority as the country goes forward.

Record breaking storms such as Haiyan show that the most powerful storms will inevitably cause destruction. The need for international agreements to cut the carbon emissions that fuel global warming is far beyond urgent.

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The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

One month on, international response has been massive but serious gaps remain

Despite widespread destruction and massive logistical obstacles in the wake of the Philippines typhoon, fast action backed by generous international support and the solidarity of local people has helped millions of people survive and prevented any major outbreak of disease, Oxfam said today.

One month on from the worst typhoon to make landfall ever recorded, the international agency says that the Philippines authorities have stepped up to actively lead and coordinate a huge complex aid effort. That effort – combined with widespread evacuations ahead of the storm – has helped to save lives and prevent a public health emergency despite the destruction of hospitals, clinics, and water supplies.

Donors and members of the public from around the world gave generous support: nearly $400m of aid was pledged within the first few weeks and military assets were provided that helped to overcome the extreme logistical challenges. These obstacles include damaged airports, seaports, roads and bridges, vast jungles of debris, as well as a loss of communications that plunged much of the disaster zone into an information black hole.

Barry Coates, Oxfam New Zealand Executive Director said: “We can be proud of New Zealand’s response to Typhoon Haiyan – there has been a humbling effort from the New Zealand public who have fundraised up and down the country to contribute to Oxfam’s appeal, a generous response from the New Zealand government and a very useful contribution from the New Zealand defence forces. Now the hard stuff starts. Oxfam has been in Philippines for 60 years and we will be there for the long haul to help people recover their families, communities and livelihoods. We hope that the public will join us in continuing our contribution to help people not only recover, but build back better.”

After the initial chaos caused by Haiyan’s impact, the United Nations, local, national and international organisations have also worked well together with the government, to improve coordination and expand the aid effort. Oxfam has now reached a quarter of a million people with aid, including by helping to restore Tacloban’s water supply.

Oxfam’s Country Director in the Philippines Justin Morgan said: “It’s been immensely challenging to get aid through, but the response, both from the people of the Philippines and the international community, has been amazing.

“Our main concern now is supporting rural communities who have not received anything like adequate assistance yet and making sure people are able to quickly rebuild their homes, infrastructure and livelihoods, in a way that will make them more resilient to future shocks.”

A report published today by Oxfam, warns that major gaps remain, with millions of people especially in rural and hard to reach areas, having received little official aid. Many have relied on local charities, churches and their fellow citizens at home and abroad. Oxfam says the relief effort must expand faster to provide enough assistance to everyone who needs it.

In addition, substantial longer term support will be needed to prevent affected areas, many of which were already amongst the poorest parts of the Philippines, sliding further into poverty, and exposing communities to greater risks from the next typhoon in a disaster prone country.

Massive needs remain. Nearly 3 million people are relying on some form of food assistance and 4 million people are homeless and in need of shelter. An Oxfam assessment in northwest Leyte found some communities had nothing to eat except the food aid they received and less than 10 per cent had proper emergency shelter. There are also risks to the safety of vulnerable groups such as woman and children. The need to accelerate and expand the aid effort is indisputable.

Local organisations are worried that climate change will likely cause typhoons like Haiyan to be more common in the future.

Voltaire Alferez, National Coordinator of one of Oxfam’s partners in the Philippines, Aksyon Klima Pilipinas, said: “Typhoon Haiyan is the shape of things to come – with climate change set to increase the severity of typhoons in the region and projected sea level rises to compound the effects of deadly storm surge. The Philippines will need sustained support and programmes to prepare for more storms like this. Ultimately it also needs action on reducing the threat of climate change.”

The Philippines is hit by approximately 20 typhoons a year and has been relatively successful at preparing for and reducing the risk of disasters. It evacuated 800,000 people in the wake of the storm which undoubtedly saved many lives. However it needs to redouble its efforts to make sure those authorities and organisations at the frontline of any disaster response must be better equipped to deal with future shocks. The underlying poverty and inequality that made people vulnerable lie at the heart of why the communities in the Philippines were so severely hit. Addressing these issues should be a priority as the country goes forward.

Record breaking storms such as Haiyan show that the most powerful storms will inevitably cause destruction. The need for international agreements to cut the carbon emissions that fuel global warming is far beyond urgent.

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The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of Oxfam International “My direct contact with President Nelson Mandela was in the context of helping Burundian women to participate in the Arusha peace process. Madiba met Burundi women peace activists and signalled to the negotiators the importance of an inclusive process for a just, peaceful and prosperous future. We honour President Mandela not only for his vision, courage and sacrifices for the liberation of South Africa but for promoting forgiveness and reconciliation following the end of apartheid. Madiba spoke for all oppressed people in the world. He was the most consistent and powerful voice for social justice in the 20th century. My deepest condolences go to H.E Graca Machel, President Mandela’s entire family and all the people of South Africa.”

Lord Joel Joffe CBE, ex-Chair of Oxfam GB and the lawyer who defended Mandela at the Rivonia Trial Lord Joel Joffe CBE was the young lawyer who defended Nelson Mandela at the famous 1963-4 Rivonia trial. Exiled to Britain in 1965, he co-founded Allied Dunbar Assurance. Joffe was involved with Oxfam for 17 years from 1981 both as a Trustee and Chair. Oxfam championed the anti-apartheid movement, including withdrawing its business from Barclays who were heavily associated with South Africa. Lord Joffe says: “Nelson Mandela was an extraordinary human being and I was honoured to have had the privilege of representing him as one of his lawyers in the Rivonia Trial. When I first met him at Pretoria gaol, he came into the interview room to meet the team of lawyers dressed in prisoner’s clothes of sandals and short trousers, but typically took command of the meeting. He was a natural leader with great charisma who listened carefully to his colleagues before taking decisions. During my time at Oxfam, we also supported the anti-apartheid movement by withdrawing our business from Barclays which was heavily associated with South Africa. Oxfam has a long history in South Africa, working with people to overcome poverty and injustice. I was delighted that Oxfam was one of just two charities invited by the ANC to attend Mandela’s inauguration in recognition of its contribution to the cause of justice and equality. In addition to his great achievements, I will always personally remember Nelson Mandela for his wonderful sense of humour. He had an easy smile and infectious laugh. He was a very warm person who treated everyone the same, as simply another human being.”

Allan Moolman, Country Director, Oxfam in South Africa “Madiba has always represented the idea of a new and different South Africa. He was and is a symbol of our aspiration to be free, our freedom and our hope for a better South Africa and has carried the torch of justice, equality and peace for almost a century. South Africa and the world are poorer for his passing. As our nation mourns we must keep in mind what it is that we can offer Mandela as a legacy. We can offer him a country in which his people continue to work together to realise our shared dream of a country in which we are all equals, free of poverty and need. He was a visionary in a time when the struggle was at its most oppressed. It is this vision of hope that led us into a peaceful democracy and enshrined equity into our constitution. Madiba’s acts of immense sacrifice have inspired activists and organisations like Oxfam to continue to fight, against all odds, for equality and justice in a very unequal world.

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

A short campaign to highlight the secrecy of the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement has resulted in 26,000 signatures on an e-petition or letters to political leaders, calling for release of the draft text under the catchcry “it’s not democracy, and it’s not right”.

The response reinforces a ConsumerLink survey conducted last December when the TPPA negotiations were held in Auckland, where 65 per cent of those polled opposed keeping the text secret until it was signed, with only 14 per cent in favour.

Release of the e-petition results coincides with a meeting of TPPA ministers in Singapore from December 7-10, and adds impetus to objections from many other countries to a previous decision not to release the text until it is signed.

On 22 September 22, Trade Minister Tim Groser was asked on the TVNZ’s Q&A, “Why so much secrecy about the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement.” He replied: “You have to understand this, that if you put out texts into the public with different and conflicting negotiating positions, lobbies who are opposed to change will seize on that text, will try to stop their negotiators showing any compromise.”

In other words, the government will not reveal what it proposes to give away until the deal is done. People can only see this once it’s too late to change. No democracy, no public consultation, just “trust me.”

Such contempt for democracy spurred a number of development, environmental and Maori organisations and unions to sponsor the online petition and letter writing campaign to demand the release of the draft TPPA text.

According to Barry Coates, Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand: “These are crucial issues, not only for New Zealand but also for developing countries since this agreement is likely to set the framework for future agreements.

“Priority needs to be given to issues including access to affordable medicines, the rights of government to regulate in the public interest and respect for the legal system and democratic institutions. It is unacceptable that these issues would be subject to negotiations undertaken in secrecy.”

Speaking for Greenpeace NZ, another of the sponsors, Nathan Argent said: “We’re deeply concerned that relegating the concerns of ordinary New Zealanders to second place will become even more prevalent if John Key signs us up to the TPPA. Our ability to take steps to reduce pollution and safeguard our oceans could be further stripped from us in order to line the pockets of some of the planet’s biggest polluters.”

CTU President Helen Kelly made it clear that “We do not support New Zealand signing up to the TPPA. This deal heavily favours US corporate interests at the expense of workers’ health, living standards and environment, leading to growing inequality. It will also hamper developing new industries and well-paid jobs for Kiwi workers.”

“It is imperative that we see the draft text of the agreement before it is a done deal. This veil of secrecy is no way to conduct such an invasive agreement,” she said.

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The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Barry Coates, Oxfam New Zealand’s Executive Director since September 2003, has announced that he will leave the organisation in March 2014. Recruitment for his successor has been launched today.

Barry Coates commented, “It has been a great privilege to have been able to build and lead a fantastic organisation making powerful change for the most important of causes – tackling global poverty.

“I am proud of Oxfam’s contribution and my own, in making changes that have created opportunities and hope for vulnerable people over the past decade. There are challenges ahead, but we have put in place the foundations to further strengthen Oxfam and our allies, and to create the transformative change that will enable us to reach our vision of a just world without poverty,” concluded Coates.

The following are some of the highlights from Barry’s ten years at Oxfam New Zealand.

Fair trade

Initiated a partnership with Trade Aid in 2004 to bring fair trade into the mainstream and form the fair trade movement in New Zealand

Promoted fair trade through speeches, public events and the media, so that public awareness has grown from 2% to 72% over the decade, and New Zealand’s fair trade sales have grown 300 fold, the fastest growing fair trade market in the world

Served on the Advisory group to former Trade Minister Phil Goff and campaigned for fair rules on international trade at WTO Ministerial meetings and in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA)

Led capacity building for civil society, research, lobbying and campaigning that strengthened the Pacific’s role in negotiations with Australia and New Zealand (PACER Plus), the European Union (EPA) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO)

Ethical and sustainable business

Persuaded multinational food company Dole to drop their misleading “Ethical Choice” label and take action to protect the rights of banana workers through research in the Philippines and dialogue with the company, combined with media coverage and consumer campaigning

Mobilised people in New Zealand in support of Oxfam’s global campaigns that influenced chocolate companies to support women in their supply chains and persuaded soft drinks brands to stop land grabs that have evicted local people

Built strong links with the Sustainable Business Network (including annual awards judging), the Responsible Investment Association of Australasia and progressive companies to support stronger business action on sustainability, climate change, human rights and poverty reduction

Climate change

Attended Ministerial meetings from Bali to Cancun and developed public understanding that climate change is about impacts on poor and vulnerable people, not just polar bears

Served as Chair and then Board member of the Global Campaign for Climate Action, the international movement that helped mobilise 15 million people prior to the Copenhagen Ministerial in 2009

Raised awareness about the risks of climate change for the Pacific and built Oxfam’s community work and campaigning to support poor and vulnerable communities across Pacific countries

Joined with progressive businesses, NGOs and groups across New Zealand civil society to strengthen New Zealand’s policies on climate change

Supporting the wider Pacific to set its own direction

Focused Oxfam’s work strategically on the poorest communities in the wider Pacific (including Timor Leste and Papua) and on the themes of supporting livelihoods, clean water and sanitation, emergency response and ending violence against women

Led the Oxfam programme that has built the capacity of small scale farmers in the wider Pacific (Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, PNG, Papua and Timor Leste) to supply domestic markets and participate in higher value supply chains through processing, fair trade and organic certification

Developed the highly effective “Oxfam Water for Survival programme”, which has enabled thousands of people in the Pacific to have access to clean water, toilets and hygiene education, while reducing waterborne diseases, improving health and removing the burden of water collection for women and girls

Built Oxfam’s capacity to respond quickly and effectively to disasters affecting the Pacific, including earthquakes, tsunamis, cyclones and floods in PNG, Solomons, Vanuatu, Samoa and Tonga, as well as supporting responses including the Indian Ocean tsunami, drought in Africa and typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines

Supported courageous Pacific partners to tackle tribal fighting and violence against women, enabling them to build broad support and demand reform of government policies and institutions

Formed close relationships with Pacific civil society, governments and regional agencies to strengthen the Pacific’s focus on poverty reduction, sustainability and human rights, including effective advocacy at annual Pacific Islands Forum events and regional meetings

Effective aid and the fight against poverty

Initiated and chaired the Make Poverty History Aotearoa coalition, which mobilised 50,000 people to take action and helped reverse the decline in the government aid budget

Served on the Ministerial Advisory Board on aid for the current Minister of Foreign Affairs, Murray McCully, and lobbied for aid to support the needs of the Pacific’s poorest people, rather than New Zealand’s interests

Engaged with New Zealand government officials on a range of aid and development issues, and influenced development thinking and policies on education, health and economic development

Served as Chair and Board member of the Council for International Development , and represented the sector frequently in the media and policy debates

Peace building and disarmament

Built support in New Zealand, the Pacific and internationally for the signing of a historic UN Arms Trade Treaty in 2012, through a decade of lobbying and campaigning with partners Amnesty International and the International Alliance on Small Arms

Supported an international agreement to ban cluster bombs in 2011 through lobbying and campaigning by Oxfam, together with Human Rights Watch and international allies

Helped build coalitions in Papua New Guinea that highlighted the need for community peace-building and stronger controls over the proliferation of guns

Educating and engaging the public

Launched Oxfam Trailwalker in New Zealand in 2005 – over the next nine years it grew to attract 1200 people each year who overcome physical challenges and raise $1 million to support Oxfam’s work

Led the development of youth-oriented events to engage the public, including the Make Trade Fair campaign and Oxfam’s Morning Tea which has promoted fair trade in thousands of workplaces and communities across New Zealand

Spread the message about the important role that New Zealand can play in tackling global poverty and being a good global citizen through hundreds of speeches, workshops, articles, media interviews and meetings across New Zealand

Oxfam and change

Built Oxfam New Zealand into a well-respected organisation, focused on supporting people in the wider Pacific, credible and influential with decision-makers, and supported by 60,000 people each year

Played a leading role in governance of Oxfam International as it has transformed to become a powerful global network that mobilises the power of people against poverty

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The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Only massive public pressure can rescue a climate deal, warned Oxfam, as the Warsaw negotiations closed after a fortnight of farce and fiasco.

Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of Oxfam said:

“The Warsaw talks opened amidst the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan. It is a warning of what climate change could mean for us all yet governments barely seemed to notice.”

“Oxfam, along with other major international NGOs, walked out of the Warsaw climate talks because enough is enough. The problem is the lack of political will and not the UN process itself – a multilateral process that delivers a global deal on tackling climate change is the only way we can ensure emissions are kept below danger levels and poor countries get the support they need to deal with the consequences of a changing climate.

“Commitments were being flouted. Governments with the power to break the deadlock were acting recklessly and the pervasive influence of dirty energy was wrecking the prospect of a food secure future.

“At the talks Japan joined Canada in back-peddling on promised emission reductions. Australia, the US and EU have refused to say how they will deliver on their commitment to scale up climate finance. And the US, Australia, Japan, Canada, China, India, Brazil and others have pushed through a blueprint for a new climate deal that will allow countries to choose their own weak emissions reduction targets.

“Very few countries can leave Warsaw with their head held high. We have witnessed a race to the bottom in these negotiations and it’s the world’s poorest people who stand to lose the most.”

“It’s time to press the reset button. We need to take these critical decisions for our planets future out from behind closed doors and give them back to the people. A global climate deal still offers the best hope of avoiding climate catastrophe but it’s going to take every one of us to make it happen,” said Byanyima.

Barry Coates, Oxfam New Zealand’s Executive Director said, “After the last Ministerial, when New Zealand attracted heavy criticism, the Government delegation kept a lower profile, within the ‘umbrella’ coalition that includes Japan, Canada and other countries unwilling to move towards an ambitious global agreement. We are on the side of the ‘do little’ coalition, instead of joining in a push for the agreement that we and all other countries need in Paris in 2015.”

“Time is running out and so are excuses. These negotiations started in 1992 and there is little to show for them. There should be no 21st Birthday celebrations, but a call for the squabbling to end and for governments to come to their senses. We will all lose if a fair, ambitious and binding deal is not reached within the next two years,” said Coates.

Finance: Rich countries made no clear commitments to scale up climate finance to US$100 billion per year by 2020 – a promise made 4 years ago in Copenhagen – and no deadline was set to make the first payments into the Green Climate Fund. Warsaw just about rescued the Adaptation Fund with a total of US$100 million in pledges by 8 countries – although this is just a drop in the ocean compared to what is needed (Nigeria’s adaptation costs are estimated to be around US$11 billion per year between now and 2020).

Emissions: The gap between projected emissions levels in 2020 and the level needed to keep warming below the 2°C target will likely increase as Japan back-tracked on its previous commitment to emissions cuts. For the period after 2020, a vague roadmap to a new climate deal in Paris in 2015 was agreed but there is little to stop countries setting weak targets for emissions cuts in the new treaty.

Loss and Damage: A new mechanism was established to address losses and damage from climate impacts where adaptation is not possible. In a final stand-off, the US forced it under existing adaptation arrangements, substantially weakening the support it can provide to developing countries. These arrangements will be reviewed at COP22 in 2016.

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The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Groups use leverage as shareholders to urge attention for human rights

Oxfam, the AFL-CIO, Trillium Asset Management and several other investors today filed a formal shareholder resolution urging PepsiCo to account for land rights violations in its supply chain. A recent investigation by Oxfam revealed that companies supplying sugar to PepsiCo and its franchisees have been implicated in violent land grabs, pushing small farmers off their land and undermining their livelihoods.

33 investors representing more than US$1.4 trillion in assets have issued a statement to companies in support of Oxfam’s Behind the Brands campaign and more than 250,000 people have already signed petitions urging PepsiCo to declare zero tolerance for land grabs. This month, Coca-Cola responded to the campaign by declaring “zero tolerance” for land grabs and committing to steps to prevent land conflicts in its supply chain. So far PepsiCo and Associated British foods have yet to address the issues highlighted by Oxfam’s report, Nothing Sweet About It.

“The pressure is only increasing on PepsiCo to address the realities of its supply chain,” said Judy Beals, campaign manager for Oxfam’s Behind the Brands Campaign. “The company is leaving itself open to immense risks if it fails to tackle land conflicts in areas where it sources ingredients. Coca-Cola has already identified these risks and made promises to address them. The question investors should ask is: why is PepsiCo so far behind?”

“As shareholders we want to know what PepsiCo is doing to ensure its suppliers are behaving responsibly and preventing land conflicts from undermining its reputation and operations,” said Beals. “We need a better understanding of how PepsiCo is managing supplier performance and risks that could have damaging impacts for the company and communities alike.”

The shareholder resolution will receive a formal vote at PepsiCo’s annual general meeting in early 2014. This week, Oxfam supporters delivered the more than 250,000 petitions to PepsiCo bottling plants and facilities in the US in order to build greater attention among company employees of the issues in its supply chain.

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The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

In advance of the final day of the Warsaw Climate Conference, Oxfam and other NGO’s and social movements have said that red lines have been crossed and the conference is heading in the wrong direction.

Barry Coates, Oxfam New Zealand Executive Director said, “Unless there is a dramatic turnaround, virtually nothing of substance will come out of these talks. Governments are listening to the fossil fuel lobbies rather than their own citizens.

“The New Zealand government has aligned itself with those unwilling to take action and are blocking progress by more progressive countries. We need to send a strong message to governments that enough is enough and highlight to people around the globe the dire state of these crucial negotiations.”

Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of Oxfam International was among hundreds of climate change activists and NGOs that walked out of talks yesterday. She said, “This is a symbolic action – Oxfam walked out of the climate talks in Warsaw and not out of the UN process. The problem is the lack of political will and not the process itself – a multilateral process which delivers a global deal on tackling climate change is the only way we can ensure that emissions are kept below danger levels and poor countries get the support they need to deal with the consequences of a changing climate.

“The stakes are too high to allow governments to make a mockery of these talks. Climate change means real and harmful impacts on people right around the globe. It means people losing their lives, homes and livelihoods in floods and typhoons. It means people going hungry because crops have failed and food prices have sky rocketed. This is happening today – without action there will be worse to come tomorrow,” she said.

Why walk out now?

The climate negotiations in Warsaw have reached an all time low and the actions of many rich countries are undermining the UN process. Unless we see a rapid dramatic change of direction, we will not prevent temperatures from rising even further above danger levels. The poorest and most vulnerable communities will be left to face the consequences alone.

The Polish government, which hosts the talks, has put the interests of dirty energy industries over the interests of citizens from around the globe – the Polish government hosted a “Coal & Climate Summit” alongside the talks, with corporate sponsorship from big polluters plastered all over the venue, and is beholden to the coal and fracking industry.

The New Zealand government has joined with Japan and Australia in reducing emissions reduction targets and blocking progress towards an agreement that would help the poorest countries deal with the consequences of climate change (the loss and damage negotiations).

The Finance Ministerial which closed yesterday delivered very little finance and did not even begin to set out a road map for how countries will deliver the $100 billion promised a year by 2020

There has not been any increase in emission reductions or support for adaptation before 2020 – and on many of these things it has actually taken us backward. A clear pathway to a comprehensive and fair agreement in Paris 2015 is missing.

Coates said, “We want to mobilise people around the world in calling on all governments for serious action on climate change. It is clear that, without this pressure, governments cannot be trusted to protect people and the planet from climate catastrophe.”

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The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Headline: Debt levels spiralling out of control as refugees from Syria slip further into poverty, says new report

Survey of refugees tells of children missing education and adults fearing they may never work again – or be able to pay back money they owe

A new survey of more than 1500 people has given one of the clearest pictures yet of the harsh economic struggle facing refugees who have fled from Syria to Lebanon.

According to the new research, commissioned by Oxfam and conducted by the Beirut Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC) last month, families are spiralling deeper and deeper into debt, living in cramped and overcrowded accommodation, with few job prospects.

The lucky ones, less than 20 per cent of families, are scraping by doing temporary menial jobs. But with every working person supporting more than five other people in addition to themselves, every cent they earn is stretched to the limit.

The Lebanese people have shown incredible generosity in continuing to offer a safe refuge for people fleeing Syria, but with refugees now accounting for around 25 per cent of the population, the pressures on the Lebanese job market in particular are showing.

Hadir Jasem, aged 21, who fled with her family to Lebanon two years ago, is desperate to get back to her home in Syria and start university, but she is now the sole breadwinner for her family of 13, earning $200 a month as a teacher’s assistant.

She said: “Things here are much, much more expensive. Going back to university requires money, if I do that, then there wouldn’t be enough money for us to survive.”

The survey shows people are spending more than twice what they’re earning – monthly incomes for refugee families is around $250 but average expenditure is around $520 including monthly costs such as rent ($225) and food (up to $275). The refugees said the cost of putting a roof over their heads was exorbitantly high. More than 20 per cent are living in poor conditions such as tents, shacks, shops and storage basements because they can’t afford the rent for a flat.

To make ends meet, many said they had spent whatever money they left Syria with (on average $370) and were borrowing money from friends and families – some from still inside Syria, where the cost of living is far lower. A fifth of respondents said they had sold family jewellery to help make ends meet and a small number of families said kind-hearted Lebanese shopkeepers and landlords were allowing them to run up credit, even though it’s unclear when they will ever recoup the money.

Nigel Timmins, who heads up Oxfam’s Syria response from Beirut, said: “Refugees from Syria face a daily battle to survive in a country where jobs and affordable accommodation are scarce. The perpetual hunt for work is crushing people’s hope.

“Competition is tough for any job – between desperate refugees and poor Lebanese workers who feel they are being squeezed out of the workforce. Seasonal jobs in agriculture, for example, are drying up as winter approaches making the situation even worse.”

Some refugees said they were getting support from UN agencies or organizations, such as Oxfam. But unless there is a massive injection of funds, Syrian refugees face the prospect of a life of grinding poverty ahead, surviving on borrowed cash and credit alone. The UN’s humanitarian appeals for the Syria Crisis are currently 61 per cent funded.

One of the most tragic aspects of the refugees’ predicament in Lebanon is the plight of the children’s future. The survey found that only 25 per cent of children are enrolled in schools pointing to a generation of Syrian children missing out on a much-needed education.

Parents fear they are letting their families down as their children are losing out on an education – even though public Lebanese schools are free, many refugee families are unable to pay additional school expenses, particularly the transport costs if schools aren’t nearby.

Timmins said: “As the crisis drags on, parents worry this is just the start of the nightmare – and wonder when their lives and the lives of their children will ever get back on track.

The plight of refugees went beyond issues of money, accommodation or schooling. They spoke of the anguish and agony related to loss of dignity, loss of friends, seclusion or anger by some members of the family, lack of self-esteem, poor living conditions and poor health.

“At the moment, there is no end in sight for the vast majority of refugees. They have little prospect of a regular income and many live with the fear that not only will they find no work tomorrow or next week – but it could be a long time before they will be able to provide for their families again. Only a lasting political solution to the crisis in Syria is what will allow them to leave this life in limbo behind,” said Timmins.

Oxfam and other agencies are working closely with the Lebanese Government to assess potential livelihoods opportunities for refugees and vulnerable Lebanese. These could include cash-for-work programmes, savings schemes, vocational training and job placement, as well as developing training opportunities and building community-based organisations.

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The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Headline: Debt levels spiralling out of control as refugees from Syria slip further into poverty, says new report

Survey of refugees tells of children missing education and adults fearing they may never work again – or be able to pay back money they owe

A new survey of more than 1500 people has given one of the clearest pictures yet of the harsh economic struggle facing refugees who have fled from Syria to Lebanon.

According to the new research, commissioned by Oxfam and conducted by the Beirut Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC) last month, families are spiralling deeper and deeper into debt, living in cramped and overcrowded accommodation, with few job prospects.

The lucky ones, less than 20 per cent of families, are scraping by doing temporary menial jobs. But with every working person supporting more than five other people in addition to themselves, every cent they earn is stretched to the limit.

The Lebanese people have shown incredible generosity in continuing to offer a safe refuge for people fleeing Syria, but with refugees now accounting for around 25 per cent of the population, the pressures on the Lebanese job market in particular are showing.

Hadir Jasem, aged 21, who fled with her family to Lebanon two years ago, is desperate to get back to her home in Syria and start university, but she is now the sole breadwinner for her family of 13, earning $200 a month as a teacher’s assistant.

She said: “Things here are much, much more expensive. Going back to university requires money, if I do that, then there wouldn’t be enough money for us to survive.”

The survey shows people are spending more than twice what they’re earning – monthly incomes for refugee families is around $250 but average expenditure is around $520 including monthly costs such as rent ($225) and food (up to $275). The refugees said the cost of putting a roof over their heads was exorbitantly high. More than 20 per cent are living in poor conditions such as tents, shacks, shops and storage basements because they can’t afford the rent for a flat.

To make ends meet, many said they had spent whatever money they left Syria with (on average $370) and were borrowing money from friends and families – some from still inside Syria, where the cost of living is far lower. A fifth of respondents said they had sold family jewellery to help make ends meet and a small number of families said kind-hearted Lebanese shopkeepers and landlords were allowing them to run up credit, even though it’s unclear when they will ever recoup the money.

Nigel Timmins, who heads up Oxfam’s Syria response from Beirut, said: “Refugees from Syria face a daily battle to survive in a country where jobs and affordable accommodation are scarce. The perpetual hunt for work is crushing people’s hope.

“Competition is tough for any job – between desperate refugees and poor Lebanese workers who feel they are being squeezed out of the workforce. Seasonal jobs in agriculture, for example, are drying up as winter approaches making the situation even worse.”

Some refugees said they were getting support from UN agencies or organizations, such as Oxfam. But unless there is a massive injection of funds, Syrian refugees face the prospect of a life of grinding poverty ahead, surviving on borrowed cash and credit alone. The UN’s humanitarian appeals for the Syria Crisis are currently 61 per cent funded.

One of the most tragic aspects of the refugees’ predicament in Lebanon is the plight of the children’s future. The survey found that only 25 per cent of children are enrolled in schools pointing to a generation of Syrian children missing out on a much-needed education.

Parents fear they are letting their families down as their children are losing out on an education – even though public Lebanese schools are free, many refugee families are unable to pay additional school expenses, particularly the transport costs if schools aren’t nearby.

Timmins said: “As the crisis drags on, parents worry this is just the start of the nightmare – and wonder when their lives and the lives of their children will ever get back on track.

The plight of refugees went beyond issues of money, accommodation or schooling. They spoke of the anguish and agony related to loss of dignity, loss of friends, seclusion or anger by some members of the family, lack of self-esteem, poor living conditions and poor health.

“At the moment, there is no end in sight for the vast majority of refugees. They have little prospect of a regular income and many live with the fear that not only will they find no work tomorrow or next week – but it could be a long time before they will be able to provide for their families again. Only a lasting political solution to the crisis in Syria is what will allow them to leave this life in limbo behind,” said Timmins.

Oxfam and other agencies are working closely with the Lebanese Government to assess potential livelihoods opportunities for refugees and vulnerable Lebanese. These could include cash-for-work programmes, savings schemes, vocational training and job placement, as well as developing training opportunities and building community-based organisations.

—

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Time running out to help rice farmers in areas of the Philippines devastated by typhoon Haiyan

Millions of people in the Philippines will go hungry in the coming months if rice farmers don’t receive urgent assistance after typhoon Haiyan wiped out a third of the countries rice growing areas.

Rice crop harvests in the five regions most affected by the disaster have been decimated and missing the next rice planting season in December would leave millions of Filipinos without their staple food for daily consumption as well as a huge loss of income and increased debt for farmers.

Oxfam’s Country Director in the Philippines, Justin Morgan, said: “Time is fast running out to get the assistance to poor farmers they so urgently need. They must meet the deadline for the planting season in December if they are to start to recover from the typhoon.

“Failing to immediately provide seeds, fertilizer and tools will put millions of people at risk of severe hunger in the coming months, compounding the impact of the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan.”

Typhoon Haiyan hit the country just as farmers were harvesting the main season paddy crop representing over fifty percent of the annual production.

Oxfam is calling on international donors to urgently help fill the funding gap for the agricultural part of the UN Haiyan Action Plan which is currently severely underfunded at less than 9 percent (OCHA 19th November).

In the short term the Philippines National Food Authority (NFA) must also deliver rice from local harvests in areas of the country unaffected by the disaster to those in need and make sure farmers are receiving support to enable them to diversify the types of crops they can grow.

The National Rice Farmers council spokesperson Jaime Tadeo said: “Farmers need help to recover from the devastation of their farms and livelihoods including locally adapted seeds, vegetables and other crops to diversify their sources of income.”

Justin Morgan said: “Aid Agencies on the ground are providing as much support to farmers at this crucial time as possible. Oxfam teams are working in Samar and Leyte, two key rice producing areas, supporting farmers in clearing and restoring farm production areas.”

“It is, however, essential for international donors to give more money for agriculture support right now so that farmers can plant more rice, diversify their crops and repair key infrastructure and therefore prevent an even greater food emergency down the line.”

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The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Currently attracting the largest bid is teenage golf superstar Lydia Ko’s signed putter. Some of the other notable auctions are for a ride in a Navy Seasprite helicopter, a Team NZ Olympic Rowing uniform signed by the Gold Medalists from the 2012 London Olympic Games and a brand new XBox One signed by Kit Dotcom.

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Oxfam continues to reach more people affected by typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines as it delivered emergency relief in the northern tip of Cebu.

Hygiene and water purification kits were given to 600 families on November 15 in the coastal region of Daanbantayan which was badly affected by the typhoon. 200 families received the same kits on November 16.

The hygiene kits contained essentials such as toothbrushes and paste, blankets, sleeping mats and mosquito nets.

Among the residents receiving the Oxfam kits was Sonia Tidino, 32, with her ten-month-old son. She said that the Oxfam kits will help her family start anew.

“When the storm hit, we went to my aunt’s house which is made of cement but even that was destroyed. There was so much debris flying around especially the roofs that had blown off. We were also scared about the falling coconut trees,” she said.

Another local resident, Annie Postrero Abenasa, 31, who lives who with her husband Christopher Abenasa, and their three children, an eight-month-old boy and two girls, aged two and three, said she is still struggling to understand the enormity of what happened and they desperately need help.

“We are still in shock. I don’t know how to react, how to overcome this kind of damage. On that day, all the rooftops were blown away, all the houses damaged,” she said.

“My roof was blown away. Our kitchen, the floor are destroyed. My children are in shock,” she said.

She said the Oxfam water and hygiene kits would be very useful for her family. “It’s a great help to us because we have nothing. Everything in our house was blown away.”

In the first phase, Oxfam plans to provide vital assistance in the next few weeks to some 20,000 families affected by Typhoon Haiyan. Oxfam is working very closely with partners to deliver water, basic sanitation, tents and tarpaulins for emergency shelter.

Oxfam will also be supporting households to rebuild their farming and fishing livelihoods, at the same time as getting markets up and running so that food is available in local shops.

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Oxfam is responding to Typhoon Haiyan and has 4 teams in the affected areas (Northern Cebu, Leyte and Samar) providing water and hygiene kits. Overall, Oxfam will set up programs that aim to reach 500.000 people affected by the crisis.

Justin Morgan, Oxfam Philippines Country Director said:

“Despite the massive challenges, roads are finally opening up, so we will be able to start getting aid to the worst affected areas on Friday (today). Our priority will be to get to the most vulnerable people affected with safe water and basic essentials like soap and blankets.”

There is a significant improvement in access to disaster affected areas as roads, seaports and air strips have opened and some telecommunications have been restored. Tacloban continues to be the focus of attention and is the place where most lives were lost. Some 39 provinces have been equally devastated and aid is urgently needed in these areas too.

Even though access is now improving health concerns continue to increase, with urgent need for safe drinking water and medical assistance, especially in Leyte and Samar.

With roads opening up, the Oxfam teams are moving into Northern Cebu to get much needed aid to affected areas. They will also be trying to reach areas that remain isolated.

Water and hygiene kits have arrived at Oxfam’s warehouse in Cebu city and will be distributed to communities in need in Daan Bayatan tomorrow (Friday). These kits include basic essentials like soap, toothbrushes, underwear and blankets. Oxfam will also be providing 1,000 communal temporary latrines, cleaning kits and handwashing stations.

With local partners, Oxfam will also will be providing mobile water treatment units (that can generate 4-6 cubic metres per hour) to at least 5 different sites, complete with generators and fuel to run them. We will also be installing mass water storage (either steel tanks that can accommodate up to 45,000 litres or a bladder which holds 10,000 litres) complete with tap stands. Oxfam staff will treat and/or repair existing hand pumps and water points.

Oxfam is delivering sanitation kits to 10,000 people this week. Water and sanitation equipment is arriving into the country, which will be immediately taken to affected areas.

Oxfam will also be providing 1000 households with assistance, so they can buy essentials like fuel, medicines and transport.

In Southeast Samar coastal towns were devastated by a 10 metre storm surge. The area has not yet been reached by relief efforts so food, water and fuel supplies are running out fast.

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The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Oxfam New Zealand spokesperson, Gwen Pearson, says: “Not only is this one of the worst natural disasters since the Indian Ocean tsunami, but it’s the poorest areas in the Philippines that have been affected.

“Oxfam is on the ground in three of the worst affected areas in the Philippines – Samar, Leyte and Northern Cebu. Our priority is to provide shelter, clean water and sanitation. This addresses the very real initial needs of survivors, but also helps prevent the spread of disease through poor sanitation. Oxfam will then spend several months supporting people to rebuild their lives and livelihoods.

“Donations from generous New Zealanders are a vital way we can bring this life-saving aid to the millions of people who have been affected, and support those families who have lost everything.” says Pearson.

There are 166 Countdown stores nationwide to assist this fundraising effort.

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Oxfam is gearing up its aid efforts after the Philippines has been devastated by the worst typhoon ever recorded to have hit land.

Huge areas of the Philippines have been destroyed and 10 million people need urgent assistance.

Globally Oxfam has set a goal to raise NZ$20 million to reach half a million people affected by Typhoon Haiyan, and we are aiming for a contribution of NZ$400,000 from generous New Zealanders.

Oxfam New Zealand’s Executive Director, Barry Coates, said: “Not only is this one of the worst natural disasters since the Indian Ocean tsunami, but it’s the poorest areas that have been affected. One in three people in the worst hit areas already live in povertyand have no assets whatsoever to fall back on.

“Crops have been destroyed just before harvest, people have no food supplies or savings, storm surges of up to 6 meters have destroyed clean water supplies and there is huge danger of waterborne diseases adding to the suffering.”

Oxfam’s rapid response teams have been deployed to Samar, Leyte and Northern Cebu to provide emergency supplies of water, sanitation and shelter.

The UN estimates that 9.8 million people – over two million families – are affected by Typhoon Haiyan in nine regions across the Philippines. Information is still coming in from some of the worst hit remote regions but over 10,000 people are thought to have lost their lives.

Golda Hilario, a member of Oxfam’s rapid response team on the ground in Tacloban said: “100 per cent of the city is devastated, pharmacies are being looted and there’s real need for basic medicines like antibiotics and medical equipment like surgical gloves. People are suffering because of the dire lack of food and they are taking desperate measures, like trying to puncture water pipes, to get clean water.”

One mother with two small children, who works selling fish with her fisherman husband, told Oxfam it was like a tsunami when the storm hit:

“Many storms have passed here. But we did not expect a storm that brought a tsunami with it. We only know of rain and wind. We did not expect the sea would devour the land.”

She has received a food pack containing 3 kilos of rice, sardines and corned beef. She expects to use this up within two days.

“We have nothing to go back to. We can’t fish. It’s dark and there are dead bodies floating in the sea.”

The most urgent needs are food, water, medicine and shelter. Communities also need power and communications restored and roads need to be cleared so that aid can get through.

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Oxfam is gearing up its aid efforts after the Philippines has been devastated by the worst typhoon ever recorded to have hit land.

Huge areas of the Philippines have been destroyed and 10 million people need urgent assistance.

Globally Oxfam has set a goal to raise NZ$20 million to reach half a million people affected by Typhoon Haiyan, and we are aiming for a contribution of NZ$400,000 from generous New Zealanders.

Oxfam New Zealand’s Executive Director, Barry Coates, said: “Not only is this one of the worst natural disasters since the Indian Ocean tsunami, but it’s the poorest areas that have been affected. One in three people in the worst hit areas already live in povertyand have no assets whatsoever to fall back on.

“Crops have been destroyed just before harvest, people have no food supplies or savings, storm surges of up to 6 meters have destroyed clean water supplies and there is huge danger of waterborne diseases adding to the suffering.”

Oxfam’s rapid response teams have been deployed to Samar, Leyte and Northern Cebu to provide emergency supplies of water, sanitation and shelter.

The UN estimates that 9.8 million people – over two million families – are affected by Typhoon Haiyan in nine regions across the Philippines. Information is still coming in from some of the worst hit remote regions but over 10,000 people are thought to have lost their lives.

Golda Hilario, a member of Oxfam’s rapid response team on the ground in Tacloban said: “100 per cent of the city is devastated, pharmacies are being looted and there’s real need for basic medicines like antibiotics and medical equipment like surgical gloves. People are suffering because of the dire lack of food and they are taking desperate measures, like trying to puncture water pipes, to get clean water.”

One mother with two small children, who works selling fish with her fisherman husband, told Oxfam it was like a tsunami when the storm hit:

“Many storms have passed here. But we did not expect a storm that brought a tsunami with it. We only know of rain and wind. We did not expect the sea would devour the land.”

She has received a food pack containing 3 kilos of rice, sardines and corned beef. She expects to use this up within two days.

“We have nothing to go back to. We can’t fish. It’s dark and there are dead bodies floating in the sea.”

The most urgent needs are food, water, medicine and shelter. Communities also need power and communications restored and roads need to be cleared so that aid can get through.

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

As the UN climate change talks open in Warsaw, Oxfam is calling for clear and ambitious financial commitments that will help poor countries to reduce their emissions and cope with the dangerous impacts of climate change. These commitments are a crucial building block in order to construct a global agreement by 2015.

A major problem is that murky accounting and a lack of transparency by rich countries has left the poor countries with little idea about what money is available to help them cope with climate change, according to Oxfam. There was a commitment in Copenhagen for the rich countries to scale up to climate finance of US$100 billion per year by 2020. There has been little transparency in the initial “fast start” period, and little clarity about what comes next.

“Rich countries must make it clear how they are going to fulfil their commitments to support the poorest countries in reducing their emissions and adapting to climate change impacts,” said Oxfam New Zealand’s Executive Director, Barry Coates.

“As Oxfam’s research has shown, effective work on mitigation and adaptation requires a long term approach, and uncertainty from one year to the next makes it impossible for vulnerable countries to take action to protect their citizens and adapt to a changing climate. This murkiness over the funding available, and the terms under which it is provided, will only heighten distrust around the negotiating table,” Coates added.

Oxfam found that:

24 developed countries have still not confirmed their climate finance for this year. For 2014 the situation is even worse as countries which together provided 81 per cent of Fast Start Finance, have still not announced any figures. Just one country, the UK, has announced its plans for climate finance in 2015.

Oxfam estimates that the total climate finance contributions so far committed by developed countries in 2013 amounts to as little as US$7.6 billion for grants and US$16.3 billion including loans. This is a fraction of what is needed to enable developing countries to adapt to climate change, which is well over US$100 billion per year.

By comparison, developed countries spent US$55-90 billion a year during 2005-2011 on fossil fuel subsidies; the Netherlands is spending €1 billion to protect its low-lands from flooding; Australia will spend $12 billion until 2018 on adapting to domestic water stress; and estimates for climate protection in the wake of Hurricane Sandy in the US ran to hundreds of billions of dollars for Florida state alone.

Rather than being additional money for climate action, much of what is being counted as climate finance is not new and additional, but has instead been redirected from overseas aid budgets.

The re-labelling of existing aid is not what was agreed in Copenhagen. The intention was not to reduce funds for urgent needs like health care and education in order to address a problem that the poorest countries did little to cause. Developed countries undertook to provide “new and additional funds” for climate change to support poor countries.

“While we welcome New Zealand government funding for renewable energy and other climate-related programmes in the Pacific and internationally, these funds should not be diverted from the existing aid allocation. New Zealand undertook to provide additional funds and this has so far not happened. Funds for urgent aid priorities in the Pacific should not be re-labelled as climate finance,” said Coates.

“New Zealand has an opportunity to salvage our reputation on climate change, which has taken a battering in recent years. But it needs commitments to scale up additional climate finance together with a target for far deeper emissions reductions than the government has announced so far, supported by far stronger domestic policies,” said Coates

Internationally, the issue of climate finance is being regarded as one of the essential elements to move the negotiations forward towards a global deal in two years’ time.

“For all the rich countries at the Warsaw negotiations, greater transparency, accountability and a plan that sets out how countries will increase funding is essential. Without this fundamental building block, there will be a further loss of trust that could bury hopes for a global climate deal in 2015.

“Anything less than urgent action will mean more damaging cyclones and typhoons, more sea level rise and storm surges, more floods, more droughts and bushfires, and many more people in the poorest communities who suffer from inaction by the major polluting nations,” concluded Coates.

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Headline: Oxfam aid team witnesses scene of utter destruction in northern most tip of Cebu, Philippines

Immediate needs are water, food, medicines and shelter

An Oxfam team of aid experts assessing level of typhoon damage in Daanbantayan the northern-most tip of Cebu mainland said today that nearly all the houses and buildings were damaged, power lines down and no electricity in the entire municipality. The team spoke of seeing children begging for help, holding up signs that read, “Help. We need water, food and medicines.”

Roads to the area were hardly passable with trees and wreckage of houses lining the highway.

Local officials said 98 per cent of the houses and structures in the municipality were damaged. This included the town hall and a cultural centre which had served as an evacuation centre but had itself had to be evacuated due to level of damage.

The town’s major told the team the people needed water for drinking, food, medicines and emergency shelter.

“The scene is one of utter devastation. There is no electricity in the entire area and no water. Local emergency food stocks have been distributed but stocks are dwindling. The immediate need is water, both for drinking and both for cleaning,” said Tata Abella-Bolo, a member Oxfam’s emergency team in Cebu.

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Manila, Philippines – Oxfam has dispatched a team of experts on the ground to assess the water, public health and sanitation conditions in Bohol today and another batch of teams will go to Northern Cebu, Northern and Eastern Samar and Leyte, in the Eastern Visayas region in the Philippines, after super typhoon Haiyan (local name: Yolanda) hit the Philippines on 8 November.

“Making sure people have clean water, safe sanitation and a roof over peoples heads will be an immediate priority. These disasters compound the burden of Philippines’ poorest people. Small scale farmers and those relying on fishing to make a living will be hardest hit. Their fields and their boats and tackle will be badly damaged and they will need help not only today but in months to come,” said Marie Madamba-Nuñez of Oxfam in the Philippines.

“Economic solutions to root out poverty and inequality must be paired with minimising the risk of poor communities to the vagaries of weather and climate change,” she said

Super typhoon Haiyan is the country’s strongest typhoon for the year, and the third in its history. Yolanda has affected the 36 provinces, where initial reports place Eastern Visayas as the worst hit. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) as of today, 4 million people or 905,353 familes have been affected by Yolanda across the Philippines, leaving at least 100 dead. 748,572 individuals are displaced. These figures can still climb after more reports from the ground come in.

Severe damages to properties and infrastructure have been reported. Electric posts and trees have blocked roads, buildings have been wrecked, and houses, especially those of light materials, have been partially damaged or destroyed. The province of Samar remains inaccessible. This has made knowing more about and thus being able to respond to the impact and scale of the disaster more difficult.

Haiyan is projected to cost the country billions of pesos in damages to properties, infrastructure and livelihoods. Haiyan comes on the heels of a devastating earthquake and a storm that wiped out rice harvests worth millions of pesos last October this year, and a deadly standoff between the military and rebel forces that left hundreds dead and thousands homeless in September.

Haiyan’s path crossed mostly agricultural communities in Eastern Visayas, where one in every three persons is considered poor.

According to the government’s Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, Eastern Visayas is primarily an agricultural region with approximately 31% or 723,048 hectares of its total land area considered agricultural land. Agriculture, fisheries, and the forestry sector contributed 20.5% to the region’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs 19% of the region’s total population in 2011. Eastern Visayas contributed 2.56% of the country’s GDP, also in 2011.

Haiyan is threatening to overwhelm the country’s state and non-state humanitarian organizations, already stretched from responding to the previous disasters.

“We call on humanitarian players to coordinate life-saving and relief efforts given the possible scale of Haiyan’s impact,” said Nuñez.

Ranked the “world’s third highest disaster risk country” according to the United Nations Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA), the Philippines will continue to face multiple and possibly simultaneously occurring emergencies because of its high incidence of poverty and exposure to natural hazards.

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Felipe Ramiro, acting country director of Oxfam in the Philippines, said: “Initial reports from the ground indicate that the provinces of Samar and Leyte in the Visayas region are the hardest hit. Electricity in these areas has been cut off and communication has been difficult. Flights to these provinces and other areas have also been cancelled.”

“Oxfam’s assessment teams will be dispatched to assess the situation of these areas. Oxfam is ready to respond to the emergency should the government need it.”

Ramiro adds: “We hope to know more in the coming hours. The Oxfam teams will be dispatched starting tomorrow, especially to areas which are at risk from hazards like flooding and storm surges and may not be able to bounce back from disaster quickly because of poverty.”

In a report in the Philippine Daily Inquirer on 8 November, Haiyan packed maximum sustained winds of 314 kilometers per hour, with gusts up to 379 kilometres per hour, according to the US Navy’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Hawaii. Local weather bureau, Philippine Atmospheric, Astronomical and Geophysical Services (PAGASA), meanwhile, reported a smaller reading at 234 kph with gusts of up to 275 kph. Haiyan is the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.

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Headline: Brazilian State Prosecutor to investigate land grab highlighted by Oxfam

Following the release of Oxfam’s report, Nothing sweet about it, describing the growing threat of land grabs in the sugar industry, Silvia Regina, the Brazilian State prosecutor overseeing the State of Pernambuco, announced last week that the Federal Public Ministry (MPF) will launch an investigation into delays in resolving one of the cases highlighted in the report.

The case involves a local community in the islands of Sirinhaém on the coast of the state of Pernambuco, Brazil that was violently evicted from their homes to make way for the Usina Trapiche sugar mill, which supplies sugar to Coca-Cola and PepsiCo. The prosecutor convened a public hearing to assess delays since 2009 in the creation of an Extractive Reserve (RESEX) on the land that would enable the local community to return to the mangroves where they fished and grew food to earn a living and feed their families.

“Action to restore local people’s access to their land is long overdue,” said Gabrielle Watson, campaign manager in Brazil for Oxfam’s Behind the Brands initiative. “The community has fought for years to resolve this conflict but Trapiche and the local authorities have repeatedly blocked progress. We hope this investigation will finally help restore the community’s rights.”

The hearing is the result of a long struggle by local groups and community members as well as increased attention on the case in recent weeks resulting from Oxfam’s report and campaign to urge food and beverage companies like Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Associated British Foods to address land grabs in their supply chains. More than 175,000 people have already signed petitions and taken action to urge food and beverage companies to root out land grabs in their supply chains.

About 30 fishermen and social organizations that have been involved in the case for many years including the Pastoral Land Commission, the Pastoral Council of the Fishermen and the coastal Reef Institute attended the hearing to defend the rights of traditional communities living in region since 1914.

“While the state delays the creations of extractive reserves, sugar mills and the other developments are destroying the traditional territory for thousands of families who live and use the natural resources in a sustainable manner, protecting the environment,” said one of the fisherwomen present.

The public prosecutor said she will request formal justification from the Office of the Presidency for the delays in the creation of the extractive reserve. According to the prosecutor, if no statement or justification is given by the state, the next step will be to take legal action.

Oxfam’s campaign has urged companies to declare zero tolerance for land grabs to help prevent cases like Pernambuco from occurring and to play a constructive role with their suppliers in resolving the cases highlighted in the report. “Companies need to take preventative measures to avoid land grabs in the first place, but it is important that local cases are resolved,” said Watson. “We hope that the action of the Pernambuco State prosecutor helps ensure a positive outcome for the community.”

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Oxfam has dispatched a team of six experts on the ground to assess the water and sanitation conditions in Bohol, after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit the Philippines on October 15.The earthquake has affected the Visayas and Mindanao islands of the Philippines, where the worst hit province is Bohol. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) as of early morning today, Friday, 3.43 million people or 676,065 families have been affected by the earthquake across the Visayas, leaving at least 171 dead, 375 injured, and 20 missing. 20,034 families or 97,618 persons are staying in 85 evacuation centers across Bohol alone.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) described the tremor as a “major earthquake”, stronger than the earthquake that hit Haiti (7.0 magnitude) a few years back. The ground shook for about 30 seconds only but more than 1, 500 aftershocks have been recorded since then.

Severe damages to infrastructure have been reported, particularly on public infrastructure such as roads and bridges, seaports and airports, government offices, hospitals and medical centres, school buildings, public markets, etc. A total of 19,309 houses were damaged (partially and totally), according to the NDRRMC. Also heavily damaged were historic, centuries-old churches, considered as cultural heritage sites in the country and in the world.

Oxfam’s partner Rice Watch Action Network (R1) has reported that the municipality of Tubigon, in which it has work, is only partially accessible and has immediate needs for water, ready-to-eat food and other basic needs especially as markets are not functioning. Oxfam is going to Tubigon as well as to other coastal municipalities on the western side of the island such as Loon and Maribojoc which have been isolated after roads and bridges were damaged by the quake..At the moment, there are issues around access to safe and clean water in Tubigon, Loon and Maribojoc. The water system is run by electricity and there are intermittent power outages. Apart from this, there is also the possibility of water being contaminated as pipes might have been damaged by the quake. This, however, needs further verification on the ground.

The Oxfam team is composed of experts in water, sanitation and hygiene promotion, livelihoods in emergencies and humanitarian protection. They also brought with them some 400 bottles of water treatment solution for immediate distribution through local health centers. “The government is well positioned to respond to this disaster, but because of the spread of the earthquake, there might be difficulties in reaching some places,” said Justin Morgan, country director of Oxfam in the Philippines during an earlier meeting with Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto today at the Governor’s Mansion.

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Cyclone leaves destruction and homelessness in India – but kudos to government for limiting much greater loss of life

Oxfam India will provide water, sanitation and shelter to initially 60,000 people affected by Cyclone Phailin. The storm, one of the country’s biggest natural disasters in years, left India on Sunday leaving almost 9 million people affected.

Winds of up to 200kmh destroyed 300,000 hectares of crops and damaged 200,000 houses, some beyond repair. Phailin will cost India upwards of US$389 million.

However, perhaps the most staggering statistic was that just 23 people were reported killed. In the same area in 1999 a cyclone killed more than 10,000 people. This time authorities moved nearly a million people into temporary shelters in schools and government buildings.

Oxfam India Humanitarian Programme Manager Zubin Zaman said “many lives were undoubtedly saved because of quick action by the governments of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. They used cyclone early warning systems effectively and there was excellent coordination between agencies to get everybody out to safety in time.”

“However, hundreds of thousands of people are now displaced and need safe water and sanitation. Some need emergency shelter. It is important that local administrators continue to supply food over a sustained period of time to meet people’s needs.”

Oxfam India is also distributing chlorine tablets that people can use to purify water, and plans to provide hygiene kits and emergency shelter. Oxfam India will focus on the Chattarpur and Ganjam blocks in Ganjam and Puri districts. Oxfam India plans to reach initially 60,000 affected people with the help of local partners, Unites Artists Association and Solar.

Oxfam’s Humanitarian Director Carsten Voelz said the Indian state deserved plaudits for speedy pre-emptive action. “Moving a million people into safety is a staggering achievement, testament to good planning and communications,” he said. “These kinds of technical improvements are important, especially as climate change brings more and worse storms in the future. But the humanitarian community also needs to look deeper into why poor people are always the most vulnerable, and we need to keep improving our work based upon those answers”.

Voelz said that Oxfam’s humanitarian programme work around the world is contributing to improving people’s resilience by tackling the issues that make them more susceptible to crises in the first place.

“Kudos to India for having learnt lessons from 1999 and saving so many lives this time with quick and decisive action,” he said. “However the only way that all countries are going to fundamentally reduce the risk facing poor people is by tackling inequality and poor services and lack of social protection. The only way to stop poor people from being so vulnerable to crises is to stop them from being so poor.”

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At least 328 people have died in a 7.7 earthquake in Awaran, southwest Pakistan. The earthquake created a new island off the coast and flattened villages. At this point, medics and aid workers are struggling to reach survivors. Hospitals are running out of medicine and food. The region is remote and the security situation is sensitive.

Oxfam is closely coordinating with local Government authorities, UN agencies and other NGOs to ensure an adequate humanitarian response. We are carrying out assessments through our local partner organisation and we have mobilised water, sanitation and hygiene supplies in case they are needed.

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

At least 328 people have died in a 7.7 earthquake in Awaran, southwest Pakistan. The earthquake created a new island off the coast and flattened villages. At this point, medics and aid workers are struggling to reach survivors. Hospitals are running out of medicine and food. The region is remote and the security situation is sensitive.

Oxfam is closely coordinating with local Government authorities, UN agencies and other NGOs to ensure an adequate humanitarian response. We are carrying out assessments through our local partner organisation and we have mobilised water, sanitation and hygiene supplies in case they are needed.

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Headline: US Government signs Arms Trade Treaty – Over 100 countries have now signed the historic agreement

The Control Arms Coalition welcomed today’s signing of the Arms Trade Treaty by the United States. As the world’s biggest arms exporter, the United States joins more than half of UN member states who have already signed the treaty.

The coalition, which has over 100 member organisations around the world, urged the US to now live up to the spirit of the treaty by not authorising any transfer of weapons where there is a major risk of international human rights and humanitarian law, such as in the current conflict in Syria.

The Arms Trade Treaty is the first ever multilateral treaty on the global trade in conventional arms and ammunition, requiring governments to establish common standards for the international trade of weapons. It is the first ever global answer to the inadequate patchwork system of national laws, regional initiatives, and country-specific embargoes that have failed to effectively control the world’s deadliest trade up to now.

A group of over a dozen countries signed the Arms Trade Treaty in New York at a ceremony on the margin of the UN General Assembly. Recent signatories to the Treaty have included Colombia, Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa.

“Today’s signing of the Arms Trade Treaty by the United States is a significant victory for human rights and development,” said Raymond C. Offenheiser, president of Oxfam America. “The US is the world’s foremost arms exporter, and US signature is a powerful step demonstrating the United States’ commitment to preventing mass atrocities and protecting civilians from armed conflict.”

“The most powerful argument for the Arms Trade Treaty continues to be the call of the millions who have suffered from armed violence around the world. Nowhere is the need for an effective treaty so apparent as in the devastating humanitarian crisis in Syria. More than two years of war has killed more than 100,000 people and over seven million are in dire need of humanitarian aid. The Arms Trade Treaty will not reverse history in Syria but the past shows us that it can prevent the fuelling of future conflicts.”

The Treaty creates binding obligations for governments to assess all arms transfers against the risk that weapons will be used for human rights abuses, terrorism, transnational organised crime or violations of humanitarian law. It will require governments to refuse any transfers of weapons if there is a major risk countries would use them to violate human rights or commit war crimes.

Allison Pytlak of the Control Arms Coalition said: “Just three months after opening for signature, more than 100 governments have signed this ground breaking agreement and many are making progress toward ratifying it. Today is a tremendous milestone. We urge all countries to take their obligations seriously and pass national laws that will enforce the Treaty and transform the words on the page into action on the ground. Control Arms will continue to advocate for the Treaty’s universalisation but also stands ready to monitor and assist with implementation.”

Control Arms now calls on the more than 100 countries who have signed the ATT to swiftly to incorporate the agreement into their national law and ratify the text. The treaty, which was agreed in April by an overwhelming majority of the UN membership, will become international law after 50 countries ratify the text.

“It is not enough to sign the treaty. Governments must take their role of implementing it very seriously. This is a text about saving lives and transforming the way the arms trade operates. It will require changes in legislation, and even more importantly, changes in behaviour,” said Saferworld’s Roy Isbister.

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Headline: A hotter world is a hungrier world warns Oxfam ahead of IPCC report

Climate change will leave families caught in a vicious spiral of falling incomes, rising food prices, and declining quality of food, leading to a devastating impact on the health of millions, Oxfam warns today.

Oxfam’s new report Growing Disruption offers an up to date assessment of the links between climate change and the many causes of hunger. While there is increasing awareness that climate change can harm crop production, the report shows that its threat on food security is much broader, hitting incomes, food quality and human health in ways that are not yet well understood.

At a time when one in eight people are going hungry and demand for food is rising, climate change will not only reduce production, it will reduce the nutritional value of both crops and livestock, worsen human health and lead to higher prices. Climate change will mean that many more people will not be able to afford enough to eat and this toxic mix is likely to hit regions that are already more susceptible to food insecurity.

The report comes ahead of the launch of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessment report (AR5) on Friday. Final discussions between governments and scientists begin today in Stockholm.

The IPCC is expected to confirm beyond doubt that climate change is not only happening, but that it is getting worse and that humans have caused the majority of it.

Tim Gore, Head of Policy for Oxfam’s GROW campaign said: “Just as the evidence of man-made climate change is becoming stronger, so too is our understanding of how it hits people, especially around hunger. “We’ve long known that climate change will mean lost crops, but increasingly we’re seeing its impacts through higher food prices, lower earnings, more health problems and lower quality food too.”

Oxfam has previously estimated that the average price of staple foods is likely to more than double in the next 20 years compared with 2010 trend prices – with up to half of the increase caused by climate change.

The events highlighted in the report offer a glimpse of potential future impacts which will get worse and more frequent in urban as well as rural areas:

In 2012 the drought in Russia cut the grain harvest by nearly 25 per cent, causing domestic prices of grain and bread to rocket. Oxfam research shows that the cumulative effects of the 2010 and 2012 droughts have driven many farmers into significant debt.

In Pakistan the devastating 2010 flood destroyed over 570,000 hectares of crop land in Punjab and affected more than 20 million people. Eighty per cent of food reserves were lost. The destruction of crops and drowning of animals meant not only that people had nothing to eat, but that they had nothing to trade to be able to buy food as it became available. The flood caused a massive 75% reduction in income across all households affected

A recent climate attribution study has confirmed that the 2011 drought in East Africa which affected over 13 million people and led to a famine in Somalia was more likely to have occurred because of climate change.

In Nepal, Oxfam field surveys showed how disruption to the monsoons is creating further pressure on men to migrate leaving women alone to look after their families and having to undertake more daily waged labour reducing their energy levels. Women often also eat last prioritising the men and children so they can fall into a downward spiral of poor diet, health and loss of strength and energy.

In 2012 the US Midwest experienced its worst drought in 50 years, which reduced the expected maize crop by 25 per cent. This contributed to global maize prices rising by around 40 per cent.

Gore said: “We want a world in which everyone enjoys the right to enough affordable and nutritious food, and we cannot allow climate change to throw us off course.

“Leaders listening to the latest findings from climate scientists this week must remember that a hot world is a hungry world. They must take urgent action to slash emissions and direct more resources to building a sustainable food system.”

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On Sept 19 Oxfam published research that many donor countries were not giving their fair share of humanitarian aid to Syria.

We calculated New Zealand’s 2013 contribution at around US$100,000 or 1 per cent of its “fair share”, based on its wealth, of US$10m. The New Zealand government has since responded that its contribution to date is actually NZ$5.46m (approximately US$4.2m), made up as follows:

$1.25m to UNHCR to assist up to 100,000 Syrian refugees in Turkey and Jordan under the UN Regional Response Plan

$1.5m through the ICRC to assist over a million Syrian people in Lebanon and Syria;

$0.25m to UNRWA to assist up to 200,000 Palestinian refugees in Jordan;

$0.74m to the Government of Turkey to build three schools for Syrian refugees;

$1m through the World Food Programme to help buy food for refugees in Jordan;

$0.72m to support New Zealand non-government organisations working to address the urgent humanitarian needs of Syrian refugees.

Oxfam is happy to update these figures and acknowledge New Zealand’s much more substantial contribution to the Syrian crisis response. These new figures put New Zealand as giving 42 per cent of their “fair share” to the UN appeal for Syria (the data may include funding prior to 2013).

The discrepancy in the data arose because New Zealand did not record its contributions properly to the Financial Tracking Service (FTS), the most comprehensive database of humanitarian assistance administered by the Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The FTS requires donors to “self-report”, as a principle of good and transparent donorship. Oxfam double-checked all countries against their FTS records on the day of publication.

New Zealand also says it has made a US$1.6m contribution to the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). This is true. But the CERF is money mobilised across all emergencies around the world – not just to Syria. We calculated that New Zealand’s proportional contribution to Syria through the CERF was around $100,000.

Whilst Oxfam was clear that its research was based on figures contained in the FTS, we acknowledge that additional efforts could have been made to check the figures with the Government of New Zealand and regret that the press release gave an impression that New Zealand has been the lowest contributor to funding for this crucial humanitarian response.

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Oxfam’s analysis of donor country’s contributions to help the Syria crisis is based on the UN launching a US$5 billion appeal for Syria in June. To date, that appeal is just 44 per cent funded. Oxfam calculated what would be the fair share of that US$5 billion for donor countries based on their GNI and overall wealth. According to these calculations, New Zealand’s fair share would be US$10.8 million (NZ$12.89 million).

The fair share analysis only looked at bilateral funding through the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) and multi-lateral funding through the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and the European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO). As such, it does not include funding that the New Zealand government has contributed through other channels such as the World Food Programme or the International Committee of the Red Cross. In total, the New Zealand Government has contributed NZ$5.46 million to meet humanitarian needs in Syria.

The fact remains that the scale of the international humanitarian response does not yet come close to the scale of the crisis. Millions of Syrians need more support from governments and people around the world.

To date, Oxfam New Zealand’s Syria Appeal has raised just under NZ$32,000. New Zealanders are encouraged to help refugees with safe water, toilets and shelter by making a donation.

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In a statement shared with the ten biggest food and beverage companies in the world, the global investors expressed support for Oxfam’s Behind the Brands initiative and urged companies to do more to reduce social and environmental risks in their supply chains.

“Due to a lack of transparency within the sector, it is difficult to fully evaluate the risk and opportunity that our companies bear within their supply chains,” reads the statement sponsored by Calvert Investments and signed by investors including F&C Asset Management, BNP Paribas Investment Partners and Aviva Investors. The investment funds promised to work with their companies to pursue changes to food and beverage company policies. “The data show there is a broad and urgent need for significant improvement across the sector.”

The letter comes six months after the launch of Oxfam’s Behind the Brands scorecard, ranking food and beverage companies on their policies and urging them to strengthen their efforts to prevent hunger, poverty and protect the environment.

Today Oxfam announced its second update to the rankings showing small improvements companies have made to their policies. Companies including Nestle, Unilever, Coca-Cola, Danone and General Mills have seen slight increases in their scores, though no company performs better than “fair” overall.

“The scorecard is a valuable tool to identify areas of risk across companies’ supply chains and compare different efforts to mitigate those risks,” said Steve Waygood, Chief Responsible Investment Officer at Aviva Investors, a UK fund manager. “We are encouraged by the initial steps some of the companies are taking but hope to see more action and greater commitment from across the industry.”

Oxfam’s first Behind the Brands campaign action on women’s rights resulted in new commitments from Mars, Mondelez and Nestle to address inequality for women in their cocoa supply chains.

“It is important to recognise the genuine effort some companies are making to address big challenges in their operations, but lasting solutions for communities will require much greater focus and ambition,” said Sarah Meads, Advocacy and Campaigns Manager, Oxfam New Zealand. “Investors are increasingly rewarding companies that address sustainability challenges across their global supply chains. Some companies are beginning to join the race to the top while others have barely approached the starting blocks. Now more than ever consumers and investors need to demand more action from companies to address the industry’s impacts on hunger and poverty.”

The updated scorecard comes just two weeks before Oxfam will release a major new investigation revealing land grabs in the sugar supply chains of major food and beverage giants. It will be the second major action since the Behind the Brands campaign began.

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

In a statement shared with the ten biggest food and beverage companies in the world, the global investors expressed support for Oxfam’s Behind the Brands initiative and urged companies to do more to reduce social and environmental risks in their supply chains.

“Due to a lack of transparency within the sector, it is difficult to fully evaluate the risk and opportunity that our companies bear within their supply chains,” reads the statement sponsored by Calvert Investments and signed by investors including F&C Asset Management, BNP Paribas Investment Partners and Aviva Investors. The investment funds promised to work with their companies to pursue changes to food and beverage company policies. “The data show there is a broad and urgent need for significant improvement across the sector.”

The letter comes six months after the launch of Oxfam’s Behind the Brands scorecard, ranking food and beverage companies on their policies and urging them to strengthen their efforts to prevent hunger, poverty and protect the environment.

Today Oxfam announced its second update to the rankings showing small improvements companies have made to their policies. Companies including Nestle, Unilever, Coca-Cola, Danone and General Mills have seen slight increases in their scores, though no company performs better than “fair” overall.

“The scorecard is a valuable tool to identify areas of risk across companies’ supply chains and compare different efforts to mitigate those risks,” said Steve Waygood, Chief Responsible Investment Officer at Aviva Investors, a UK fund manager. “We are encouraged by the initial steps some of the companies are taking but hope to see more action and greater commitment from across the industry.”

Oxfam’s first Behind the Brands campaign action on women’s rights resulted in new commitments from Mars, Mondelez and Nestle to address inequality for women in their cocoa supply chains.

“It is important to recognise the genuine effort some companies are making to address big challenges in their operations, but lasting solutions for communities will require much greater focus and ambition,” said Sarah Meads, Advocacy and Campaigns Manager, Oxfam New Zealand. “Investors are increasingly rewarding companies that address sustainability challenges across their global supply chains. Some companies are beginning to join the race to the top while others have barely approached the starting blocks. Now more than ever consumers and investors need to demand more action from companies to address the industry’s impacts on hunger and poverty.”

The updated scorecard comes just two weeks before Oxfam will release a major new investigation revealing land grabs in the sugar supply chains of major food and beverage giants. It will be the second major action since the Behind the Brands campaign began.

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

World leaders attending the G20 summit must seize this opportunity and make real progress on helping find a political solution to the Syria crisis, according to international aid agency Oxfam.

The organisation says world leaders must not squander this key moment for peace – and is calling for the Syria Crisis to be high on the summit’s agenda. Too many lives have been torn apart by the conflict, with more than 100,000 dead, two million refugees having fled to neighbouring countries, and the stability of the wider region at stake.

With the threat of imminent military intervention and arms still pouring into the conflict, Oxfam believes now is a crucial moment for world leaders, particularly Presidents Putin and Obama, to overcome their differences and prioritise finding a political solution to the crisis. Military intervention at this stage will not help solve the conflict and instead merely risks making the humanitarian situation worse, says the organisation.

Oxfam spokesperson Steve Price-Thomas, who is currently in St Petersburg, said: “Too many opportunities have been missed in recent months – and with the recent escalation and very real threat of military intervention, the timing of this G20 is critical. The eyes of the world are turned on St Petersburg to see whether leaders shoulder their responsibilities or instead choose to let ordinary Syrians down.

“Leaders must not simply pay lip-service to peace – instead we urge them to set aside their differences and work together on this in a way we have not previously seen. For months Syrians have had the hope of a peace conference in Geneva dangled in front of them – leaders now must now turn that hope into a reality. They have a real chance to make a difference to the lives of millions of Syrians.”

Oxfam says the devastating humanitarian consequences of the Syria crisis continue to deepen each day. UNHCR has just announced that the number of refugees fleeing from Syria had now passed the two million mark.

Also, earlier this week, a total of 265 Arab Civil Society Organisations wrote to G20 leaders calling on them to help deliver an immediate ceasefire and the Geneva peace conference. In the special letter, organisations from 19 different countries, urged G20 members, particularly the US and Russia, to use their influence to encourage all parties to the conflict to come to the table to achieve a just and sustainable peace for all Syrians.

The letter states: “The window of opportunity is closing, the Syrian people have suffered much too long. As Arab voices we stand in solidarity with our suffering brothers and sisters in Syria.

“We urge the international community, specifically the US and Russia to demonstrate strong leadership now to bring peace to Syria, and to our whole region.”While the numbers of people affected by the crisis are increasing, the financial resources of the humanitarian community – including Oxfam – are already stretched to the limit. In June, the UN launched its biggest appeal ever, but it is so far only 41 per cent funded.

The aid agency says in addition to prioritising a political solution to the crisis, G20 leaders must dig deep and respond to the need for increased funds to help finance the humanitarian response.

Price-Thomas said: “The scale of the humanitarian crisis is already massive and every day that peace is delayed leads to more killing and suffering.

“Many countries have already made generous contributions to the aid effort but it is simply not enough given at least half of the Syrian population has been affected by the conflict.

“As well as making progress on finding a peaceful solution, G20 members must provide a significant increase in the long-term support they offer, in particular to neighbouring countries already hosting large numbers of refugees.”

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The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

World leaders attending the G20 summit must seize this opportunity and make real progress on helping find a political solution to the Syria crisis, according to international aid agency Oxfam.

The organisation says world leaders must not squander this key moment for peace – and is calling for the Syria Crisis to be high on the summit’s agenda. Too many lives have been torn apart by the conflict, with more than 100,000 dead, two million refugees having fled to neighbouring countries, and the stability of the wider region at stake.

With the threat of imminent military intervention and arms still pouring into the conflict, Oxfam believes now is a crucial moment for world leaders, particularly Presidents Putin and Obama, to overcome their differences and prioritise finding a political solution to the crisis. Military intervention at this stage will not help solve the conflict and instead merely risks making the humanitarian situation worse, says the organisation.

Oxfam spokesperson Steve Price-Thomas, who is currently in St Petersburg, said: “Too many opportunities have been missed in recent months – and with the recent escalation and very real threat of military intervention, the timing of this G20 is critical. The eyes of the world are turned on St Petersburg to see whether leaders shoulder their responsibilities or instead choose to let ordinary Syrians down.

“Leaders must not simply pay lip-service to peace – instead we urge them to set aside their differences and work together on this in a way we have not previously seen. For months Syrians have had the hope of a peace conference in Geneva dangled in front of them – leaders now must now turn that hope into a reality. They have a real chance to make a difference to the lives of millions of Syrians.”

Oxfam says the devastating humanitarian consequences of the Syria crisis continue to deepen each day. UNHCR has just announced that the number of refugees fleeing from Syria had now passed the two million mark.

Also, earlier this week, a total of 265 Arab Civil Society Organisations wrote to G20 leaders calling on them to help deliver an immediate ceasefire and the Geneva peace conference. In the special letter, organisations from 19 different countries, urged G20 members, particularly the US and Russia, to use their influence to encourage all parties to the conflict to come to the table to achieve a just and sustainable peace for all Syrians.

The letter states: “The window of opportunity is closing, the Syrian people have suffered much too long. As Arab voices we stand in solidarity with our suffering brothers and sisters in Syria.

“We urge the international community, specifically the US and Russia to demonstrate strong leadership now to bring peace to Syria, and to our whole region.”While the numbers of people affected by the crisis are increasing, the financial resources of the humanitarian community – including Oxfam – are already stretched to the limit. In June, the UN launched its biggest appeal ever, but it is so far only 41 per cent funded.

The aid agency says in addition to prioritising a political solution to the crisis, G20 leaders must dig deep and respond to the need for increased funds to help finance the humanitarian response.

Price-Thomas said: “The scale of the humanitarian crisis is already massive and every day that peace is delayed leads to more killing and suffering.

“Many countries have already made generous contributions to the aid effort but it is simply not enough given at least half of the Syrian population has been affected by the conflict.

“As well as making progress on finding a peaceful solution, G20 members must provide a significant increase in the long-term support they offer, in particular to neighbouring countries already hosting large numbers of refugees.”

—

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

On August 16, a day most notable for the second large Seddon earthquake, the Government took yet another step backwards on climate change.

Tim Groser, the Minister for Climate Change, quietly revealed that New Zealand will set a target of reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by just 5 per cent over the 30-year period between 1990 and 2020. Our inaction fails Pacific leaders who are fighting for their countries’ survival and demanding climate leadership at the Pacific Islands Forum in two weeks’ time.

As hosts of this year’s Pacific Islands Forum, the Marshall Islands are making the point that they and other Pacific nations will not survive unless countries like New Zealand are prepared to do far more to curb their emissions. The forum, from September 3 to 6, will bring together leaders from the Pacific Island countries with New Zealand and Australia, and major emitters, including the United States, China, European, India and Japan.

It comes at a critical stage in the international response to the climate crisis. The plan is to make the forum a stepping stone towards next year’s global summit of climate leaders, hosted by United Nations Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon and intended to raise ambition ahead of the 2015 deadline for an effective international climate agreement.

But the announcement by New Zealand was a bitter blow. A 5 per cent emissions reduction below 1990 levels by 2020 continues a “business as usual” track towards a dangerous future of extreme weather that threatens thousands of vulnerable communities, including our Pacific neighbours. This target is not even a full commitment, since it is being pledged under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, rather than the binding Kyoto Protocol.

New Zealand is one of the highest per capita emitters of greenhouse gases in the world. A voluntary target of 5 per cent falls well short of our fair share of global action and is far lower than the target many other countries are taking, including some countries far poorer than New Zealand. It’s also significantly less ambitious than our previous conditional commitment to cut emissions by 10 to 20 per cent.

The announcement was more than six months after the Government previously failed to make a commitment at the last UN climate summit and follows previous backtracking on climate action, including weakening the already weak Emissions Trading Scheme. As a result, the carbon price has hit new lows of below 20 cents, having started at $25 a tonne of carbon dioxide.

New Zealand’s voluntary pledge of 5 per cent is also far below the 25 to 40 per cent reduction that has been called for by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the authoritative Nobel prize-winning body of leading scientists.

The next IPCC report, due out in September, is expected to underline the dangerous path we are on, towards 4 to 6 degrees Celsius average global temperature rise by 2100, a path the World Bank says will result in “catastrophic climate change”.

The Government has announced that this is the target we can meet without doing anything other than the toothless Emissions Trading Scheme we already have, and that this approach has carefully balanced the cost to New Zealand households and businesses. But this inaction is not good for the New Zealand businesses trying to maintain our reputation for good environmental practice, nor for the exporters trying to persuade retailers abroad to stock our products even though they are shipped halfway across the world, nor for the growing group of companies trying to carve out a position in the rapidly growing clean-technologies sectors.

But, above all, this is a retreat from the climate change battle being waged by our Pacific neighbours. This year’s Pacific Island Forum comes as many communities are directly feeling the risks and impacts of climate change, and no more so than the Marshall Islands themselves. Spread across two remote chains of coral atolls near the equator, the Marshallese are among the most vulnerable people on Earth to the ravages of climate change.

Since early this year, the islands have been trapped in a climate-induced humanitarian crisis after a prolonged and unseasonal drought led to severe shortages of drinking water in the northern atolls, loss of staple crops, and disease outbreaks.

On June 25, six weeks after the president declared a state of disaster and appealed for emergency drought relief, a king tide topped the sea walls in the capital Majuro, where the forum will be held, flooding the airport runway and many neighbourhoods.

We can do far more to help our Pacific Island neighbours avoid being swamped by king tides, sea swells, higher intensity cyclones and rising sea levels. Our humanity and responsibility towards others demands a more serious response.

Barry Coates is executive director of Oxfam New Zealand.

Article as appears in The Press, September 2, 2013

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The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Opinion piece as appeared in the New Zealand Herald on August 15, 2013. By Barry Coates, Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand.

Wherever we turn these days we are bombarded by images of food. Constant adverts, junk food on every corner, marketing to kids, cooking shows and celebrity chefs. We may feel like we have more choice but it’s not making us healthier. We are experiencing a growing problem of obesity and related disease. Last week there were alarm bells over high sugar levels in drinks from an unexpected source – Coca Cola.

But not everyone has to worry about eating too much food. The reality for one seventh of the world’s people is hunger. People like Bhikhni Devi from Bihar, India. Tragically Bhikhni’s son died a few years ago, along with 13 others in the village, because they were so desperate for food that they dug up a dead goat and ate its poisonous meat.

“We were so unfortunate to be performing the last rites of our son in this old age. Instead he should be performing our last rites”, said Bhikhni with tears in her eyes. “To starve and die is not our birthright, all we want is to eat and live.”

Hunger like this exists on a massive scale. There are as many hungry people as the total population of the US, Europe and the rest of the rich world. Going to bed hungry is a silent, avoidable, everyday tragedy.

Around 1.4 billion people struggle to survive on $2.25 day – the international extreme poverty line. There’s something deeply wrong with our food system when over a billion people get unhealthy from eating too much food and almost as many suffer from not enough.

Next month there are going to be a lot of people in New Zealand who switch from eating too much to eating too little. We are voluntarily going to live on just $2.25 worth of food a day for five days.

This initiative, Live Below the Line, is a way to build empathy and to experience firsthand what it feels like to be hungry. We will have to live on a miniscule budget. But with the sympathy and generosity of our friends, neighbours and work colleagues, we will also get the chance to raise vital funds to end the injustice of hunger.

The funds that are raised through Live below the Line will help groups like Oxfam provide food and water to keep people alive, but even more importantly, we can help the poorest people escape the poverty trap. People need more than food for today. Small farmers, especially women, need access to land and water, seeds and tools, and transport to get their produce to markets. This is the key for providing affordable and nutritious food at the local level.

But there’s a deeper issue here. No-one in our world needs to starve. Hunger is not inevitable. People don’t go hungry because there isn’t enough food to eat; people go hungry because of the unfair way the global food system works. We can put an end to hunger. We just need the will to do so.

There are about 7 billion of us in the world who consume food, and around 1.5 billion who produce it, the vast majority of them small farmers in poor countries. In the middle of the supply chain are around 500 giant agribusinesses that control seed patents, the supply of fertilisers and pesticides, trade in food commodities, and food brands. Food is big business.

Huge tracts of land in developing countries are being bought in ‘land grabs’, pushing local people off their land. Hungry people, including low paid farm workers, are forced to watch as food is shipped overseas, or used as subsidised biofuels.

Adding to the injustice of our food system is the growing impact of climate change. The poorest people in the world didn’t cause climate change, but they are on the frontline of its impacts. Faced by drought, storms and floods, farmers around the world are no longer able to predict the weather patterns. And they have no savings or social safety nets. Many are just one failed harvest away from complete devastation.

Food prices have been rising. Poor households, which spend up to two-thirds of their income on food, are worst affected. If the price of flour or rice rises for us, it adds to our shopping bill. But if you’re living off just $2.25 a day, it’s a catastrophe. You go hungry.

But we can change the food system. Consumers have a powerful voice in demanding a fair deal. When Oxfam launched a report highlighting the practices of the major brands around the world, few people thought it would make much difference. But within weeks, the biggest chocolate brands, Mars, Nestlé and Mondelez (owner of Cadburys) signed agreements to support women cocoa farmers. And in New Zealand, Dole dropped its misleading ‘Ethical Choice’ label and has promised to provide rights for banana workers in the Philippines.

There’s a lot we can do. Buy fair trade. Campaign for change. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Hopefully some of us will be able to help charities with donations. You can also sign up to Live Below the Line. I am doing it again this year. It is one way that we can start to build a better food system, a fair and sustainable system that works for the benefit of the many, not just the few.

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

80 per cent of refugees living outside camps in tented settlements or high-cost rented accommodation

Many Syrian refugees living outside camps across countries in the region are losing out on the help they desperately need, according to five international aid agencies today.

CARE International, Oxfam, Danish Refugee Council, Handicap International and World Vision are increasingly concerned that with more than 1.4 million – 80 per cent of all Syrian refugees – living in tents, temporary settlements, or over-crowded and expensive rented accommodation, the international response is failing to match the scale of the crisis.

Neighbouring countries are struggling to cope with the huge number of refugees. In Lebanon Syrians make up a quarter of the population1 and are living in at least 1200 locations. Just 131,000 of the half a million refugees who fled to Jordan are living in Zaatari camp. Many refugees, particularly those scattered outside cities across the region, struggle to get information on the support services that are available to them.

The aid agencies say that the international community must massively step up its response to the growing crisis.

“People are living in shopping centres, empty garages or make-shift tents on derelict land. They are struggling to survive on little or nothing, and many are falling through the cracks. With no immediate end in sight to the conflict the problem will only get worse. The UN describes this as the biggest refugee crisis since the Rwandan genocide in 1994 and we need to make sure assistance reaches refugees no matter where they are,” said Oxfam’s Syria Response manager, Colette Fearon.

The aid agencies are calling on donor countries to dig deep and find more money to help them scale up the humanitarian response, particularly in Jordan and Lebanon which are hosting more than a million refugees between them. There is also a growing need to support host communities and governments, where basic services are coming under pressure from increased use.

At the same time, almost seven million people – a third of the population – are desperately in need of aid inside Syria.

In June the UN launched its largest ever humanitarian appeal for $5bn to support the Syria crisis but has only received 36 per cent of the money required.

Due to the huge number of people fleeing the conflict, refugees are pursuing whatever options they can to find shelter. Many arrive with just the clothes on their backs and need help to cover basic costs such as food, safe drinking water and a roof over their heads.

Health care has become a luxury that many cannot afford. For people with injuries, the situation is especially critical as the lack of available services often leads to further impairments. Vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and persons with disabilities or chronic disease, do not have access to essential services, unless they are offered by organisations like Handicap International.

According to World Vision, rents in parts of Lebanon have soared, often by as much as 200 per cent in just a six month period. Though rents are increasing, employment opportunities and pay have not kept pace. In Lebanon where refugees are prohibited from working in many professions, jobs that are available are usually poorly-paid and offer little or no security. While some agencies, including CARE International and Oxfam, are offering cash support to help refugees pay their rent, this is not a long term solution.

“People left Syria with nothing and are trying to carve out a new life for themselves. But they are starting from scratch and everything is expensive. Many are getting into increasing debt in order to survive,” said Hugh Fenton, Danish Refugee Council Regional Director in North Africa and the Middle East.

“The international response so far has failed to meet the basic needs of the majority of the refugees, putting them at risk of further hardship and suffering. We need donor countries to dig deep and increase funding so aid agencies can expand their relief efforts. With the number of refugees rising and their needs increasing, it is critical the international community do more to fill the funding gap that is preventing us helping more people: failure to do so could be catastrophic.”

The agencies also say fears are mounting of the impact of poor living conditions on refugees’ health. Even amongst those refugees living in rented accommodation, few have access to running water or a separate toilet or bathroom and those living in tents have limited sanitation facilities, increasing the risks of disease particularly given temperatures regularly reach 40C (110F). In Jordan, more than a quarter of refugee households in the Mafraq region have no access to water, while some children living in a tent community in West Balqa could only bathe once every 10 days.

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The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

80 per cent of refugees living outside camps in tented settlements or high-cost rented accommodation

Many Syrian refugees living outside camps across countries in the region are losing out on the help they desperately need, according to five international aid agencies today.

CARE International, Oxfam, Danish Refugee Council, Handicap International and World Vision are increasingly concerned that with more than 1.4 million – 80 per cent of all Syrian refugees – living in tents, temporary settlements, or over-crowded and expensive rented accommodation, the international response is failing to match the scale of the crisis.

Neighbouring countries are struggling to cope with the huge number of refugees. In Lebanon Syrians make up a quarter of the population1 and are living in at least 1200 locations. Just 131,000 of the half a million refugees who fled to Jordan are living in Zaatari camp. Many refugees, particularly those scattered outside cities across the region, struggle to get information on the support services that are available to them.

The aid agencies say that the international community must massively step up its response to the growing crisis.

“People are living in shopping centres, empty garages or make-shift tents on derelict land. They are struggling to survive on little or nothing, and many are falling through the cracks. With no immediate end in sight to the conflict the problem will only get worse. The UN describes this as the biggest refugee crisis since the Rwandan genocide in 1994 and we need to make sure assistance reaches refugees no matter where they are,” said Oxfam’s Syria Response manager, Colette Fearon.

The aid agencies are calling on donor countries to dig deep and find more money to help them scale up the humanitarian response, particularly in Jordan and Lebanon which are hosting more than a million refugees between them. There is also a growing need to support host communities and governments, where basic services are coming under pressure from increased use.

At the same time, almost seven million people – a third of the population – are desperately in need of aid inside Syria.

In June the UN launched its largest ever humanitarian appeal for $5bn to support the Syria crisis but has only received 36 per cent of the money required.

Due to the huge number of people fleeing the conflict, refugees are pursuing whatever options they can to find shelter. Many arrive with just the clothes on their backs and need help to cover basic costs such as food, safe drinking water and a roof over their heads.

Health care has become a luxury that many cannot afford. For people with injuries, the situation is especially critical as the lack of available services often leads to further impairments. Vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and persons with disabilities or chronic disease, do not have access to essential services, unless they are offered by organisations like Handicap International.

According to World Vision, rents in parts of Lebanon have soared, often by as much as 200 per cent in just a six month period. Though rents are increasing, employment opportunities and pay have not kept pace. In Lebanon where refugees are prohibited from working in many professions, jobs that are available are usually poorly-paid and offer little or no security. While some agencies, including CARE International and Oxfam, are offering cash support to help refugees pay their rent, this is not a long term solution.

“People left Syria with nothing and are trying to carve out a new life for themselves. But they are starting from scratch and everything is expensive. Many are getting into increasing debt in order to survive,” said Hugh Fenton, Danish Refugee Council Regional Director in North Africa and the Middle East.

“The international response so far has failed to meet the basic needs of the majority of the refugees, putting them at risk of further hardship and suffering. We need donor countries to dig deep and increase funding so aid agencies can expand their relief efforts. With the number of refugees rising and their needs increasing, it is critical the international community do more to fill the funding gap that is preventing us helping more people: failure to do so could be catastrophic.”

The agencies also say fears are mounting of the impact of poor living conditions on refugees’ health. Even amongst those refugees living in rented accommodation, few have access to running water or a separate toilet or bathroom and those living in tents have limited sanitation facilities, increasing the risks of disease particularly given temperatures regularly reach 40C (110F). In Jordan, more than a quarter of refugee households in the Mafraq region have no access to water, while some children living in a tent community in West Balqa could only bathe once every 10 days.

—

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

80 per cent of refugees living outside camps in tented settlements or high-cost rented accommodation

Many Syrian refugees living outside camps across countries in the region are losing out on the help they desperately need, according to five international aid agencies today.

CARE International, Oxfam, Danish Refugee Council, Handicap International and World Vision are increasingly concerned that with more than 1.4 million – 80 per cent of all Syrian refugees – living in tents, temporary settlements, or over-crowded and expensive rented accommodation, the international response is failing to match the scale of the crisis.

Neighbouring countries are struggling to cope with the huge number of refugees. In Lebanon Syrians make up a quarter of the population1 and are living in at least 1200 locations. Just 131,000 of the half a million refugees who fled to Jordan are living in Zaatari camp. Many refugees, particularly those scattered outside cities across the region, struggle to get information on the support services that are available to them.

The aid agencies say that the international community must massively step up its response to the growing crisis.

“People are living in shopping centres, empty garages or make-shift tents on derelict land. They are struggling to survive on little or nothing, and many are falling through the cracks. With no immediate end in sight to the conflict the problem will only get worse. The UN describes this as the biggest refugee crisis since the Rwandan genocide in 1994 and we need to make sure assistance reaches refugees no matter where they are,” said Oxfam’s Syria Response manager, Colette Fearon.

The aid agencies are calling on donor countries to dig deep and find more money to help them scale up the humanitarian response, particularly in Jordan and Lebanon which are hosting more than a million refugees between them. There is also a growing need to support host communities and governments, where basic services are coming under pressure from increased use.

At the same time, almost seven million people – a third of the population – are desperately in need of aid inside Syria.

In June the UN launched its largest ever humanitarian appeal for $5bn to support the Syria crisis but has only received 36 per cent of the money required.

Due to the huge number of people fleeing the conflict, refugees are pursuing whatever options they can to find shelter. Many arrive with just the clothes on their backs and need help to cover basic costs such as food, safe drinking water and a roof over their heads.

Health care has become a luxury that many cannot afford. For people with injuries, the situation is especially critical as the lack of available services often leads to further impairments. Vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and persons with disabilities or chronic disease, do not have access to essential services, unless they are offered by organisations like Handicap International.

According to World Vision, rents in parts of Lebanon have soared, often by as much as 200 per cent in just a six month period. Though rents are increasing, employment opportunities and pay have not kept pace. In Lebanon where refugees are prohibited from working in many professions, jobs that are available are usually poorly-paid and offer little or no security. While some agencies, including CARE International and Oxfam, are offering cash support to help refugees pay their rent, this is not a long term solution.

“People left Syria with nothing and are trying to carve out a new life for themselves. But they are starting from scratch and everything is expensive. Many are getting into increasing debt in order to survive,” said Hugh Fenton, Danish Refugee Council Regional Director in North Africa and the Middle East.

“The international response so far has failed to meet the basic needs of the majority of the refugees, putting them at risk of further hardship and suffering. We need donor countries to dig deep and increase funding so aid agencies can expand their relief efforts. With the number of refugees rising and their needs increasing, it is critical the international community do more to fill the funding gap that is preventing us helping more people: failure to do so could be catastrophic.”

The agencies also say fears are mounting of the impact of poor living conditions on refugees’ health. Even amongst those refugees living in rented accommodation, few have access to running water or a separate toilet or bathroom and those living in tents have limited sanitation facilities, increasing the risks of disease particularly given temperatures regularly reach 40C (110F). In Jordan, more than a quarter of refugee households in the Mafraq region have no access to water, while some children living in a tent community in West Balqa could only bathe once every 10 days.

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The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

TV One Breakfast

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New Zealand Herald

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Headline: New Zealand to lead in signing of international Arms Trade Treaty

New Zealand will lead the way as one of the first countries to sign the landmark Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) adopted by the United Nations last month, a move welcomed by international aid agency Oxfam.

The Treaty, which opens for signature in New York on June 3, is the first of its kind providing legally binding global rules to regulate the international flow of weapons, preventing them from escalating conflict and fuelling atrocities.

Oxfam, a principle member of the Control Arms Coalition, has campaigned for the last decade to achieve robust rules on international arms transfers.Barry Coates, Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand, said, “Oxfam welcomes New Zealand’s commitment to achieving a powerful and effective ATT. We particularly welcome the strong position New Zealand has taken regarding the scope and implementation of the treaty, as well as the support provided to Pacific States throughout the process.

“For many regions affected by armed violence, including the Pacific, this treaty represents a major step forward in securing a safer future.

“We are now looking forward to 3 June, and the opening of signature at the UN in New York. As we enter the next critical phase for the ATT, New Zealand is in a unique position to lead by example on the international stage and set a precedent for future signatories whilst providing further support to Pacific States to enable them to sign and ratify the treaty as soon as possible.

“Oxfam congratulates New Zealand in being amongst the first States to sign and implement the Arms Trade Treaty and we look forward to curbing the deadly impact of the unregulated arms trade in our region and beyond,” said Coates.

—

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Headline: New Zealand to lead in signing of international Arms Trade Treaty

New Zealand will lead the way as one of the first countries to sign the landmark Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) adopted by the United Nations last month, a move welcomed by international aid agency Oxfam.

The Treaty, which opens for signature in New York on June 3, is the first of its kind providing legally binding global rules to regulate the international flow of weapons, preventing them from escalating conflict and fuelling atrocities.

Oxfam, a principle member of the Control Arms Coalition, has campaigned for the last decade to achieve robust rules on international arms transfers.Barry Coates, Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand, said, “Oxfam welcomes New Zealand’s commitment to achieving a powerful and effective ATT. We particularly welcome the strong position New Zealand has taken regarding the scope and implementation of the treaty, as well as the support provided to Pacific States throughout the process.

“For many regions affected by armed violence, including the Pacific, this treaty represents a major step forward in securing a safer future.

“We are now looking forward to 3 June, and the opening of signature at the UN in New York. As we enter the next critical phase for the ATT, New Zealand is in a unique position to lead by example on the international stage and set a precedent for future signatories whilst providing further support to Pacific States to enable them to sign and ratify the treaty as soon as possible.

“Oxfam congratulates New Zealand in being amongst the first States to sign and implement the Arms Trade Treaty and we look forward to curbing the deadly impact of the unregulated arms trade in our region and beyond,” said Coates.

—

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Last month, Oxfam launched its GROW campaign in Papua New Guinea and released two new short films that show how local activities in the Highlands are changing lives for the better.

GROW is Oxfam’s global campaign to fix the broken food system. Around the world today, one in eight people go to bed hungry. By 2050, the world’s population is predicted to rise to nine billion, while at the same time the very building blocks of the global food system – crop yields, land, water, fuels and fertilisers – are close to reaching their limits. The fundamental challenge of the 21st century will be feeding the world’s hungry people within the essential ecological boundaries of our planet.

These problems are evident in PNG.

“Nearly one quarter of children under five in PNG are underweight,” said Dennis Uba, Oxfam Country Director. “We welcome the Government’s commitment in its Medium Term Development Strategy to lift subsistence agricultural production by 34 per cent. But the Government is not supporting small-scale producers by nearly enough to reach this goal,” he said.

The people of PNG face significant food insecurity, particularly in urban areas. The country is highly vulnerable to climate change and disasters, all of which threaten the country’s ability to maintain a reliable supply of food. The resources boom has fuelled inflation and higher prices for basic commodities.

An additional challenge in ensuring that everyone has enough to eat is that a huge land grab across the last decade has reduced the amount of viable agricultural land available for local food production. Oxfam has called on the Government to make public the Commission of Inquiry Report into Special Agricultural Business Leases.

“We have just witnessed the biggest land grab in PNG history and people have a right to know the full extent of what has happened. Land grabs mean less food for local people. The Government should release the Report and make permanent the moratorium on issuing new leases,” said Mr Uba.

Oxfam is supporting a number of activities in the Highlands, NCD, and in East Sepik designed to improve agricultural production and strengthen the self-reliance of women in food production. You can read more about our work in PNG here

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The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

On the very same day that Oxfam released a report highlighting disturbing labour and environmental issues on Philippine banana plantations, Dole has agreed to discontinue use of its “Ethical Choice” label and withdraw its application to trademark the term.

Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand, Barry Coates, said, “We welcome this announcement. This is great news for New Zealanders. Dole has realised that the public won’t accept marketing spin and self-made claims.

“More importantly, we hope that this is the start of a process that will improve conditions for people who are working hard to grow the bananas we eat. Our concern lies with the women, children and men in the Philippines who are struggling to get by under conditions we would never tolerate for ourselves – child labour, toxic pesticide exposure, workers paid below a living wage, and a denial of rights to form independent trade unions – these are unacceptable regardless of whether they happen in Manukau or Mindanao.

“While we welcome Dole’s decision to discontinue using the ‘Ethical Choice’ label, we are disappointed that Dole is not being more constructive in addressing very serious problems identified in the research report. We are still waiting for Dole’s substantive response to this report sent to them four weeks ago. We and the researchers are very willing to engage with Dole in order to ensure worker’s rights are respected and conditions are improved in their banana supply chain.

“Today we’ve seen an outpouring of public concern around the issues of confusing labels and exploitation of workers. This is a demonstration of how consumer power can lead to better lives for farmers in developing countries,” said Coates.

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

On the very same day that Oxfam released a report highlighting disturbing labour and environmental issues on Philippine banana plantations, Dole has agreed to discontinue use of its “Ethical Choice” label and withdraw its application to trademark the term.

Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand, Barry Coates, said, “We welcome this announcement. This is great news for New Zealanders. Dole has realised that the public won’t accept marketing spin and self-made claims.

“More importantly, we hope that this is the start of a process that will improve conditions for people who are working hard to grow the bananas we eat. Our concern lies with the women, children and men in the Philippines who are struggling to get by under conditions we would never tolerate for ourselves – child labour, toxic pesticide exposure, workers paid below a living wage, and a denial of rights to form independent trade unions – these are unacceptable regardless of whether they happen in Manukau or Mindanao.

“While we welcome Dole’s decision to discontinue using the ‘Ethical Choice’ label, we are disappointed that Dole is not being more constructive in addressing very serious problems identified in the research report. We are still waiting for Dole’s substantive response to this report sent to them four weeks ago. We and the researchers are very willing to engage with Dole in order to ensure worker’s rights are respected and conditions are improved in their banana supply chain.

“Today we’ve seen an outpouring of public concern around the issues of confusing labels and exploitation of workers. This is a demonstration of how consumer power can lead to better lives for farmers in developing countries,” said Coates.

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

A year after all 27 EU countries committed to challenging settlement expansion, forced displacement, and demolition of Palestinian property in an unprecedented Foreign Affairs Council statement, approvals for illegal settlements have increased and hundreds of Palestinian homes and structures have been bulldozed despite EU saying this must stop.

The Association of International Development Agencies (AIDA), a coordinating body representing over 80 international aid and development agencies working in the occupied Palestinian territory (OPT), today issued a new report urging the European Union to match their strong words with action in order toeffectively challenge Israeli government policies that are creating unbearable conditions for many of the 150,000 Palestinians living under full Israeli military and civil control in Area C, which makes up 60 percent of the West Bank.

The agencies warned that chances for a just and durable solution that allows Palestinians and Israelis to live with peace and security were slipping away as the situation on the ground continues to deteriorate.

More than 600 houses have been built in the past year in the illegal Israeli settlements while 535 Palestinian-owned homes and structures have been destroyed, leaving 784 people homeless or displaced. Around 30 European-funded structures have been demolished during this same time and dozens more, including basic tents, water cisterns and animal pens are under threat of demolition. Europe has made clear its objections to Israel’s continued settlement expansion and demolition of Palestinian and European property. Yet, its response has mostly come in words only, with action remaining on an ad hoc and uncoordinated basis. If this continues, living conditions for Palestinians are set to worsen, and vital European tax-payers’ investments will be wasted.

“Just a year ago, EU governments injected fresh hope that they would collectively use their political weight to improve the living conditions of Palestinians and halt Israeli violations of international law, but looking back, we can say they are at serious risk of failing both Palestinians and Europeans,” said Charles Silva, Country Director for Action Against Hunger (ACF) and AIDA Chair.

With European leaders set to meet again to discuss the Middle East peace process today, the report “Failing to Make the Grade: How the EU can pass its own test and work to improve the lives of Palestinians in Area C,” explains what they can and must do to put their words into action that results in positive changes on the ground. The report stresses that Europe must honour its pledges to increase much-needed development aid for Area C and to push the government of Israel to remove restrictions that leave Palestinians vulnerable to demolition and prevent them from building proper homes, schools, roads, water infrastructure and electrical grids.

The report illustrates how some European countries have been working to protect communities in Area C from demolition by investing in village plans. While the Israeli authorities are in the process of considering applications, none of the 32 European-funded village plans to date have been fully approved. This is in sharp contrast to the tendering of at least 1,967 new settlement housing units in the year since the EU statement, a four-fold increase from 2011.

“Last year EU governments said for the first time it was also in their own interest to bring an end to the conflict in Israel and Palestine – if they are serious, they can and must work together to address harmful policies of the Israeli government and support the most vulnerable Palestinians in the West Bank,” said Nishant Pandey Oxfam Country Director.

Tony Laurance, CEO from Medical Aid for Palestinians added: “Israel is morally and legally responsible for the wellbeing of Palestinian men, women and children in the occupied Palestinian territory. EU countries have an obligation to address violations of International Law and collectively to put pressure on Israel to end policies impeding Palestinian development.”

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Bananas sold by Dole in New Zealand carry a sticker that says “Ethical Choice”. A research report undertaken by Philippines research organisations and released by Oxfam New Zealand today, suggests that the treatment of workers on Dole’s Philippine banana plantations is anything but ethical. These are the plantations that supply bananas for the New Zealand market.

The report, The Labour and Environmental Situation in Philippine Banana Plantations Exporting to New Zealand, documents children 15 years old and under working eight to 12 hours a day, harassment of workers for joining a union, aerial pesticide spraying while workers are on the plantations, and environmental damage.

These are disturbing findings. Oxfam New Zealand has asked Dole to take urgent action to address these issues.

Unsupported claims

Barry Coates, Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand, said, “It’s time for Dole to stop making unsupported claims that they are selling ethically produced bananas. This research report shows the opposite – Philippine workers growing Dole bananas are subject to unfair and unhealthy treatment.

“New Zealand consumers deserve better than company greenwashing. We are calling on Dole to drop the ‘Ethical Choice’ label,” he said.

In August 2012 the New Zealand Commerce Commission warned Dole New Zealand that its self-created “Ethical Choice” labels may breach the Fair Trading Act. The competition watchdog said the “Ethical Choice” stickers displayed on Dole’s fruit, website and marketing materials may mislead consumers into believing that the company had gained independent third-party verification, and that it was more ethical than its competitors.

Trademarking “Ethical Choice”

But rather than withdraw the label, Dole has taken the next step towards preventing any challenge to its ethics. It has applied to trademark its expression of ethical choice through the Patent Office. Once it has a trade mark, Dole will be able to defend itself against evidence of misleading labelling by saying they own the expression of Ethical Choice. This is not fair or ethical. Oxfam is calling on Dole to drop the trademark application.

“Companies must be able to justify what they say about their products. Misleading claims may be good for company profits, but they are confusing for consumers. There is no quicker way to lose consumer trust,“ said Coates.

Consumer power

Consumers have a powerful choice and voice. When New Zealand shoppers reach for bananas to put in the trolley, they can now choose Fairtrade certified bananas. These are independently verified, so people can be confident they are benefiting farmers and workers, rather than exploiting them.

“This is a critical challenge, not just for companies like Dole, but for the supermarkets that sell their products as well. When customers walk into a store, they deserve the confidence that the products on sale there aren’t harming people on the other side of the world,” said Coates.

Dole has agreed to meet with Oxfam representatives in New Zealand and the Philippines to discuss the issues highlighted in the report.

“We’re please to be engaging positively with Dole about these research findings. It’s vital that workers and the environment are treated with respect both here in New Zealand and globally, and we look forward to improvements in the future.

“However, in the present, Dole should stop using the ‘Ethical Choice’ label and shoppers should keep an eye out for credible independent verification, rather than company claims,” said Coates.

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

A year after all 27 EU countries committed to challenging settlement expansion, forced displacement, and demolition of Palestinian property in an unprecedented Foreign Affairs Council statement, approvals for illegal settlements have increased and hundreds of Palestinian homes and structures have been bulldozed despite EU saying this must stop.

The Association of International Development Agencies (AIDA), a coordinating body representing over 80 international aid and development agencies working in the occupied Palestinian territory (OPT), today issued a new report urging the European Union to match their strong words with action in order toeffectively challenge Israeli government policies that are creating unbearable conditions for many of the 150,000 Palestinians living under full Israeli military and civil control in Area C, which makes up 60 percent of the West Bank.

The agencies warned that chances for a just and durable solution that allows Palestinians and Israelis to live with peace and security were slipping away as the situation on the ground continues to deteriorate.

More than 600 houses have been built in the past year in the illegal Israeli settlements while 535 Palestinian-owned homes and structures have been destroyed, leaving 784 people homeless or displaced. Around 30 European-funded structures have been demolished during this same time and dozens more, including basic tents, water cisterns and animal pens are under threat of demolition. Europe has made clear its objections to Israel’s continued settlement expansion and demolition of Palestinian and European property. Yet, its response has mostly come in words only, with action remaining on an ad hoc and uncoordinated basis. If this continues, living conditions for Palestinians are set to worsen, and vital European tax-payers’ investments will be wasted.

“Just a year ago, EU governments injected fresh hope that they would collectively use their political weight to improve the living conditions of Palestinians and halt Israeli violations of international law, but looking back, we can say they are at serious risk of failing both Palestinians and Europeans,” said Charles Silva, Country Director for Action Against Hunger (ACF) and AIDA Chair.

With European leaders set to meet again to discuss the Middle East peace process today, the report “Failing to Make the Grade: How the EU can pass its own test and work to improve the lives of Palestinians in Area C,” explains what they can and must do to put their words into action that results in positive changes on the ground. The report stresses that Europe must honour its pledges to increase much-needed development aid for Area C and to push the government of Israel to remove restrictions that leave Palestinians vulnerable to demolition and prevent them from building proper homes, schools, roads, water infrastructure and electrical grids.

The report illustrates how some European countries have been working to protect communities in Area C from demolition by investing in village plans. While the Israeli authorities are in the process of considering applications, none of the 32 European-funded village plans to date have been fully approved. This is in sharp contrast to the tendering of at least 1,967 new settlement housing units in the year since the EU statement, a four-fold increase from 2011.

“Last year EU governments said for the first time it was also in their own interest to bring an end to the conflict in Israel and Palestine – if they are serious, they can and must work together to address harmful policies of the Israeli government and support the most vulnerable Palestinians in the West Bank,” said Nishant Pandey Oxfam Country Director.

Tony Laurance, CEO from Medical Aid for Palestinians added: “Israel is morally and legally responsible for the wellbeing of Palestinian men, women and children in the occupied Palestinian territory. EU countries have an obligation to address violations of International Law and collectively to put pressure on Israel to end policies impeding Palestinian development.”

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Bananas sold by Dole in New Zealand carry a sticker that says “Ethical Choice”. A research report undertaken by Philippines research organisations and released by Oxfam New Zealand today, suggests that the treatment of workers on Dole’s Philippine banana plantations is anything but ethical. These are the plantations that supply bananas for the New Zealand market.

The report, The Labour and Environmental Situation in Philippine Banana Plantations Exporting to New Zealand, documents children 15 years old and under working eight to 12 hours a day, harassment of workers for joining a union, aerial pesticide spraying while workers are on the plantations, and environmental damage.

These are disturbing findings. Oxfam New Zealand has asked Dole to take urgent action to address these issues.

Unsupported claims

Barry Coates, Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand, said, “It’s time for Dole to stop making unsupported claims that they are selling ethically produced bananas. This research report shows the opposite – Philippine workers growing Dole bananas are subject to unfair and unhealthy treatment.

“New Zealand consumers deserve better than company greenwashing. We are calling on Dole to drop the ‘Ethical Choice’ label,” he said.

In August 2012 the New Zealand Commerce Commission warned Dole New Zealand that its self-created “Ethical Choice” labels may breach the Fair Trading Act. The competition watchdog said the “Ethical Choice” stickers displayed on Dole’s fruit, website and marketing materials may mislead consumers into believing that the company had gained independent third-party verification, and that it was more ethical than its competitors.

Trademarking “Ethical Choice”

But rather than withdraw the label, Dole has taken the next step towards preventing any challenge to its ethics. It has applied to trademark its expression of ethical choice through the Patent Office. Once it has a trade mark, Dole will be able to defend itself against evidence of misleading labelling by saying they own the expression of Ethical Choice. This is not fair or ethical. Oxfam is calling on Dole to drop the trademark application.

“Companies must be able to justify what they say about their products. Misleading claims may be good for company profits, but they are confusing for consumers. There is no quicker way to lose consumer trust,“ said Coates.

Consumer power

Consumers have a powerful choice and voice. When New Zealand shoppers reach for bananas to put in the trolley, they can now choose Fairtrade certified bananas. These are independently verified, so people can be confident they are benefiting farmers and workers, rather than exploiting them.

“This is a critical challenge, not just for companies like Dole, but for the supermarkets that sell their products as well. When customers walk into a store, they deserve the confidence that the products on sale there aren’t harming people on the other side of the world,” said Coates.

Dole has agreed to meet with Oxfam representatives in New Zealand and the Philippines to discuss the issues highlighted in the report.

“We’re please to be engaging positively with Dole about these research findings. It’s vital that workers and the environment are treated with respect both here in New Zealand and globally, and we look forward to improvements in the future.

“However, in the present, Dole should stop using the ‘Ethical Choice’ label and shoppers should keep an eye out for credible independent verification, rather than company claims,” said Coates.

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

At least NZ$22.9 trillion is hidden by wealthy individuals in tax havens worldwide, representing a loss of more than NZ$193 billion in tax revenue, according to new figures published today by international agency Oxfam.

The missing money is twice that required for every person in the world to be living above the NZ$1.55-a-day “extreme poverty” threshold.

Oxfam’s Kevin Roussel said: “It’s scandalous that so much money is allowed to sit untaxed, letting off the hook those individuals who can most afford to pay for public goods and services. Many governments claim to have no alternative but to cut public spending and development aid, but we’ve found there’s enough potential tax to be had on hidden “private” money to end extreme world poverty twice over.”

Oxfam has found that two-thirds of this global offshore wealth – nearly NZ$15 trillion – is hidden in EU related tax havens, such as Luxembourg, Andorra or Malta. These havens are facilitating the loss of over NZ$123 billion in tax revenues worldwide. A third of offshore wealth is sitting in UK-linked tax havens where it is undeclared and untaxed.

A tax havens crackdown is on the agenda for discussion at the European Union leaders’ summit today. Oxfam is calling for a blacklist of tax havens, and an agreement from EU member states to impose sanctions against tax havens and those using them. The EU looks set to fail on this simple task.

Roussel said: “The UK and Europe cannot stand by while billions is lost from the global public purse on their watch.”

The NZ$193 billion of lost tax revenue Oxfam estimates is just a fraction of the total tax loss, as it only reflects the amount of tax that individuals are neglecting to pay. It doesn’t include the tax dodged by companies and multinational corporations, whose swindling costs Africa alone an estimated NZ$198 billion a year.

—

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Headline: EU foreign ministers must bite the bullet and extend the arms embargo on Syria

EU Foreign Ministers meeting on Monday (May 27) in Brussels should extend the existing arms embargo on Syria or risk making the situation for civilians in the country even worse.

The humanitarian agency says failure to extend the EU arms embargo at the end of the month would be ‘irresponsible’ and could scupper the fragile glimmer of hope for progress offered by the US-Russian peace summit scheduled for June 12.

Serious risks

Oxfam’s Head of Arms Control Anna Macdonald says: “Allowing the EU arms embargo to end could have devastating consequences. There are no easy answers when trying to stop the bloodshed in Syria, but sending more arms and ammunition clearly isn’t one of them. International efforts should be focused on halting arms transfers to all sides and finding a political solution to the crisis.

“There are serious risks that arms could be used to commit human rights violations. And the risks of diversion of weapons and the likely humanitarian consequences are very real. We are already seeing the catastrophic humanitarian impact of this crisis on civilians.

“Transferring more weapons to Syria can only exacerbate a hellish scenario for civilians. If the UK and France are to live up to their own commitments – including those set out in the new Arms Trade Treaty – they simply must not send weapons to Syria.”

Fanning the flames

More than 80,000 people have already lost their lives since the start of the Syria crisis two years ago and almost seven million people inside the country need humanitarian aid (UN figures). The EU arms embargo currently forbids the transfer of lethal weapons to Syria – whether to government forces or the opposition.

“Transferring more weapons to Syria can only exacerbate a hellish scenario for civilians” – Anna Macdonald, Oxfam’s Head of Arms Control

A relaxation of the embargo would pave the way for EU states to arm opposition groups in Syria but Oxfam says this would almost certainly fan the flames of the conflict and cost lives. Conversely, extending the EU embargo would avoid fuelling an arms race. It should be followed by a complete international ban on all arms transfers to the warring parties in Syria, and European states should use their influence to make that a reality.

Some states, notably the UK, have claimed that promising arms supplies to the rebels will have a dual-impact, putting pressure on the Syrian government as well as encouraging the opposition groups to participate in peace talks safe in the knowledge that support would come swiftly if talks failed. However, the aid agency says that arming Syria’s rebel groups would be more likely to lead to an increased arming of government forces by others, including Russia and Iran.

“The UK and France are charting a risky course of action. Diplomacy should be the priority. The European Union and its member states should focus on pressing the warring parties to ensure civilians are safe, can access aid, and work towards a political solution to this crisis,” said Macdonald.

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

At least NZ$22.9 trillion is hidden by wealthy individuals in tax havens worldwide, representing a loss of more than NZ$193 billion in tax revenue, according to new figures published today by international agency Oxfam.

The missing money is twice that required for every person in the world to be living above the NZ$1.55-a-day “extreme poverty” threshold.

Oxfam’s Kevin Roussel said: “It’s scandalous that so much money is allowed to sit untaxed, letting off the hook those individuals who can most afford to pay for public goods and services. Many governments claim to have no alternative but to cut public spending and development aid, but we’ve found there’s enough potential tax to be had on hidden “private” money to end extreme world poverty twice over.”

Oxfam has found that two-thirds of this global offshore wealth – nearly NZ$15 trillion – is hidden in EU related tax havens, such as Luxembourg, Andorra or Malta. These havens are facilitating the loss of over NZ$123 billion in tax revenues worldwide. A third of offshore wealth is sitting in UK-linked tax havens where it is undeclared and untaxed.

A tax havens crackdown is on the agenda for discussion at the European Union leaders’ summit today. Oxfam is calling for a blacklist of tax havens, and an agreement from EU member states to impose sanctions against tax havens and those using them. The EU looks set to fail on this simple task.

Roussel said: “The UK and Europe cannot stand by while billions is lost from the global public purse on their watch.”

The NZ$193 billion of lost tax revenue Oxfam estimates is just a fraction of the total tax loss, as it only reflects the amount of tax that individuals are neglecting to pay. It doesn’t include the tax dodged by companies and multinational corporations, whose swindling costs Africa alone an estimated NZ$198 billion a year.

—

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Headline: EU foreign ministers must bite the bullet and extend the arms embargo on Syria

EU Foreign Ministers meeting on Monday (May 27) in Brussels should extend the existing arms embargo on Syria or risk making the situation for civilians in the country even worse.

The humanitarian agency says failure to extend the EU arms embargo at the end of the month would be ‘irresponsible’ and could scupper the fragile glimmer of hope for progress offered by the US-Russian peace summit scheduled for June 12.

Serious risks

Oxfam’s Head of Arms Control Anna Macdonald says: “Allowing the EU arms embargo to end could have devastating consequences. There are no easy answers when trying to stop the bloodshed in Syria, but sending more arms and ammunition clearly isn’t one of them. International efforts should be focused on halting arms transfers to all sides and finding a political solution to the crisis.

“There are serious risks that arms could be used to commit human rights violations. And the risks of diversion of weapons and the likely humanitarian consequences are very real. We are already seeing the catastrophic humanitarian impact of this crisis on civilians.

“Transferring more weapons to Syria can only exacerbate a hellish scenario for civilians. If the UK and France are to live up to their own commitments – including those set out in the new Arms Trade Treaty – they simply must not send weapons to Syria.”

Fanning the flames

More than 80,000 people have already lost their lives since the start of the Syria crisis two years ago and almost seven million people inside the country need humanitarian aid (UN figures). The EU arms embargo currently forbids the transfer of lethal weapons to Syria – whether to government forces or the opposition.

“Transferring more weapons to Syria can only exacerbate a hellish scenario for civilians” – Anna Macdonald, Oxfam’s Head of Arms Control

A relaxation of the embargo would pave the way for EU states to arm opposition groups in Syria but Oxfam says this would almost certainly fan the flames of the conflict and cost lives. Conversely, extending the EU embargo would avoid fuelling an arms race. It should be followed by a complete international ban on all arms transfers to the warring parties in Syria, and European states should use their influence to make that a reality.

Some states, notably the UK, have claimed that promising arms supplies to the rebels will have a dual-impact, putting pressure on the Syrian government as well as encouraging the opposition groups to participate in peace talks safe in the knowledge that support would come swiftly if talks failed. However, the aid agency says that arming Syria’s rebel groups would be more likely to lead to an increased arming of government forces by others, including Russia and Iran.

“The UK and France are charting a risky course of action. Diplomacy should be the priority. The European Union and its member states should focus on pressing the warring parties to ensure civilians are safe, can access aid, and work towards a political solution to this crisis,” said Macdonald.

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Governments and aid agencies have to tackle the politics and power at the heart of the increasing effects of climate change, rising inequality and people’s vulnerability to disasters according to a new report published today by Oxfam.

The report, No Accident: Resilience and the inequality of risk, shows that the risk of disaster is being dumped on to millions of people living in poverty while the lifestyles of the rich world relentlessly pumps carbon into the atmosphere. And while in the rich world the majorityof peoplecan cope relatively well with unexpected shocks, mostpeople in poor countries cannot. Some 90 per cent of workers in least developed countries have no social security and 97 per cent of people on low incomes have no insurance cover making them highly vulnerable to disasters, food hikes and or illness – 100 million people fall into poverty just because they have to pay for health care. Women are particularly vulnerable because of their economic, political and social status.

The incidence of extreme weather-related events is increasing and more people are living in places that are susceptible to disasters. Since 1970 the number of people exposed to floods and cyclones has doubled.

“Inequality is driving up poor people’s vulnerability. Vulnerability is not a random twist of fate. Risk is actively being dumped on to people. While rich countries reap the benefits of carbon-spewing economic growth, those in the world’s poorer countries suffer the consequences. Aid can help soften the blow but if we are to tackle the injustice of this we have to deal with the inequality of power and politics that make people vulnerable. That means rich countries reducing the risk of climate change, governments everywhere reducing inequalities and giving poor people a voice in decisions that affect their lives. It also means the aid world changing the way it does business and working more effectively at supporting people to cope better with crises,” said Debbie Hillier author of the report.

The report calls for a fundamental shift both in overcoming emergencies and reducing entrenched poverty. It calls on governments and aid agencies to ensure that efforts to boost economic growth are matched by efforts to manage risk and to reduce inequality – they must go hand in hand. National governments must ensure that their poorest citizens are protected in times of crisis and can access essential services like health and education, funded by more progressive taxation.

The aid world, including Oxfam, also needs to change and end the divide between short term humanitarian work and the long term development work. This will require both a transformation in working culture and much more flexible funding

The report also goes on to say that development work cannot be predominately targeted in largely stable environments. The world is shifting radically. By 2015, half of all people living with less than $1.25 a day will be in fragile states and conflicts, and millions more will face disasters from global economic or environmental changes that seem out of control.

Oxfam says that the aid world’s new focus on ‘resilience’ – building poor people’s ability to cope with crises – is far too much focussed on technical fixes and needs to take into account the politics and power that make people vulnerable.

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Governments and aid agencies have to tackle the politics and power at the heart of the increasing effects of climate change, rising inequality and people’s vulnerability to disasters according to a new report published today by Oxfam.

The report, No Accident: Resilience and the inequality of risk, shows that the risk of disaster is being dumped on to millions of people living in poverty while the lifestyles of the rich world relentlessly pumps carbon into the atmosphere. And while in the rich world the majorityof peoplecan cope relatively well with unexpected shocks, mostpeople in poor countries cannot. Some 90 per cent of workers in least developed countries have no social security and 97 per cent of people on low incomes have no insurance cover making them highly vulnerable to disasters, food hikes and or illness – 100 million people fall into poverty just because they have to pay for health care. Women are particularly vulnerable because of their economic, political and social status.

The incidence of extreme weather-related events is increasing and more people are living in places that are susceptible to disasters. Since 1970 the number of people exposed to floods and cyclones has doubled.

“Inequality is driving up poor people’s vulnerability. Vulnerability is not a random twist of fate. Risk is actively being dumped on to people. While rich countries reap the benefits of carbon-spewing economic growth, those in the world’s poorer countries suffer the consequences. Aid can help soften the blow but if we are to tackle the injustice of this we have to deal with the inequality of power and politics that make people vulnerable. That means rich countries reducing the risk of climate change, governments everywhere reducing inequalities and giving poor people a voice in decisions that affect their lives. It also means the aid world changing the way it does business and working more effectively at supporting people to cope better with crises,” said Debbie Hillier author of the report.

The report calls for a fundamental shift both in overcoming emergencies and reducing entrenched poverty. It calls on governments and aid agencies to ensure that efforts to boost economic growth are matched by efforts to manage risk and to reduce inequality – they must go hand in hand. National governments must ensure that their poorest citizens are protected in times of crisis and can access essential services like health and education, funded by more progressive taxation.

The aid world, including Oxfam, also needs to change and end the divide between short term humanitarian work and the long term development work. This will require both a transformation in working culture and much more flexible funding

The report also goes on to say that development work cannot be predominately targeted in largely stable environments. The world is shifting radically. By 2015, half of all people living with less than $1.25 a day will be in fragile states and conflicts, and millions more will face disasters from global economic or environmental changes that seem out of control.

Oxfam says that the aid world’s new focus on ‘resilience’ – building poor people’s ability to cope with crises – is far too much focussed on technical fixes and needs to take into account the politics and power that make people vulnerable.

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

“Displaced civilians in Syria are suffering the trauma of conflict…Now they face the challenges of heat and disease.” – Barry Coates, Executive Director, Oxfam New Zealand

As refugees continue to arrive in Jordan and Lebanon, Oxfam says the health risks must be urgently addressed. Increased cases of public health-related diseases such as diarrhoea and skin infections have already been recorded in host communities and temporary settlements where an increasing number of refugees now live. Just in the Beqaa Valley in Lebanon, there are now some 240 tented settlements, six times the amount recorded in January.

The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health says more than 100 cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis, also known as the Aleppoboil, have been diagnosed in private clinics in the past two weeks. If left untreated, the festering boil, can grow to a weeping wound several centimetres in diameter. It is caused by a single-cell parasite that is transmitted by sandfly. Access to medicine, clean water and good hygiene practices are critical to help treat these infections.

Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand, Barry Coates, said: “Displaced civilians in Syria are suffering the trauma of conflict, the wrenching loss of having to flee their homes and the harsh conditions within Syria or in neighbouring countries. Now they face the challenges of heat and disease.”

Despite the generosity of Lebanese citizens and authorities, most Syrian refugees still have poor access to water and sanitation facilities in Lebanon. UNHCR says it is worried that the incidence of water-related diseases will increase in the coming few months as a result. In MSF clinics throughout the Beqaa Valley, 84 cases of diarrhoea have been confirmed in April. According to the agency, the rise in case load is expected to continue in the coming months due to lack of clean water, inadequate sanitation and the arrival of the hot season. International Medical Corps (IMC) in Lebanon reported that seven per cent of the patients were suffering from gastro intestinal diseases and is expected to increase in the coming weeks. Access to clean and potable water is essential as gastro intestinal diseases can lead to dehydration.

Oxfam, which has decades of experience in addressing public health risks through improved access to water and sanitation, says it is crucial to ensure funds are in place to provide refugees with shelter, clean water and adequate sanitation. Oxfam is aiming to raise some US$53.4 million over the next year, but so far its appeal is only 23% funded (US$10.6m).

“We are starting to really worry about the health of Syrian refugees. Too many are living in inadequate shelters such as an empty shopping centre or the outskirts of a cemetery. These shelters have no toilets, little water and garbage has started to pile up. With high summer right around the corner, refugees living in poor sanitary conditions are facing serious risks of diseases,” said Rick Bauer, Regional humanitarian coordinator for Oxfam.

“During the upcoming months of dry summer, we need to minimise the risks and this starts with providing refugees with proper shelter. High rental costs in both Jordan and Lebanon are forcing thousands of refugees to live and sleep in overcrowded, insanitary conditions, with little privacy. The aid effort must be properly funded and focused on providing refugees with affordable and decent places to stay, where they can live with dignity. That’s priority number one for refugees and host communities alike.”

As needs continue to grow both in Syria and host countries, the current UN appeal for the Syria crisis is only 58 per cent funded, over US$650 million-short. The UN agencies are set to review and issue a new call for funds for the next six months on June 7.

In Jordan, where 55 per cent of the refugees are under the age of 18, Syrians living in host communities are lacking the money to buy the basics including soap and enough water for bathing. In one tent community in West Balqa Oxfam found that some children could only take a bath once every ten days. Oxfam has already seen an increasing number of skin infections especially among young children.

The aid agency is also looking to increase its direct assistance in Balqa and Zarqa to help refugee as well as local communities access clean water and essential hygiene items. Oxfam will be working closely with refugees and host communities to introduce water conservation measures and promote hygiene practices using less water for all residents, including local communities. In addition, the agency is scaling up its water and sanitation programme in Jordan’s biggest refugee camp, Zaatari camp, to cope with the rising temperatures and the knock-on health risks. WHO have identified dehydration, diarrhoea and food conservation as the main risks in the camp.

In Lebanon, the North Governorate hosts the highest concentration of people in need of clean water and basic sanitation. As of May 2013, some 635,000 people are in need of assistance – both refugees and host communities – and Oxfam says it anticipates this number to increase to over 740,000 by November 2013.

Municipalities in the Beqaa Valley have reported to international NGOS that they were unable to provide solid waste disposal services for the refugees. They have called for funding to be able to assist and make sure that garbage disposal is done on a regular basis in makeshift camps now home to thousands of Syrian refugees.

Bauer said: “The sad reality is that the vast majority of Syrian refugees are not going home soon. It is also crystal clear that host communities in Lebanon and Jordan need urgent help. Both countries have shown incredible solidarity and generosity in welcoming refugees, but they need help dealing with serious health risks and the possibility of diseases which will affect refugees and host communities alike in the coming months.

“During the summer months, people need secure water supplies for good hygiene practices and prevent common diseases. But if aid groups and local authorities are to be able to increase their programs, they need more funds. There is no way around it. Providing safe water, appropriate sanitation facilities and access to health care is costly. It’s time for the key donors to wake up and face that reality.”

Coates concluded: “Now, more than ever, the Syrian people need our support. Please be generous.”

Oxfam is calling on New Zealanders to donate to the Syria Conflict Appeal.

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

“Displaced civilians in Syria are suffering the trauma of conflict…Now they face the challenges of heat and disease.” – Barry Coates, Executive Director, Oxfam New Zealand

As refugees continue to arrive in Jordan and Lebanon, Oxfam says the health risks must be urgently addressed. Increased cases of public health-related diseases such as diarrhoea and skin infections have already been recorded in host communities and temporary settlements where an increasing number of refugees now live. Just in the Beqaa Valley in Lebanon, there are now some 240 tented settlements, six times the amount recorded in January.

The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health says more than 100 cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis, also known as the Aleppoboil, have been diagnosed in private clinics in the past two weeks. If left untreated, the festering boil, can grow to a weeping wound several centimetres in diameter. It is caused by a single-cell parasite that is transmitted by sandfly. Access to medicine, clean water and good hygiene practices are critical to help treat these infections.

Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand, Barry Coates, said: “Displaced civilians in Syria are suffering the trauma of conflict, the wrenching loss of having to flee their homes and the harsh conditions within Syria or in neighbouring countries. Now they face the challenges of heat and disease.”

Despite the generosity of Lebanese citizens and authorities, most Syrian refugees still have poor access to water and sanitation facilities in Lebanon. UNHCR says it is worried that the incidence of water-related diseases will increase in the coming few months as a result. In MSF clinics throughout the Beqaa Valley, 84 cases of diarrhoea have been confirmed in April. According to the agency, the rise in case load is expected to continue in the coming months due to lack of clean water, inadequate sanitation and the arrival of the hot season. International Medical Corps (IMC) in Lebanon reported that seven per cent of the patients were suffering from gastro intestinal diseases and is expected to increase in the coming weeks. Access to clean and potable water is essential as gastro intestinal diseases can lead to dehydration.

Oxfam, which has decades of experience in addressing public health risks through improved access to water and sanitation, says it is crucial to ensure funds are in place to provide refugees with shelter, clean water and adequate sanitation. Oxfam is aiming to raise some US$53.4 million over the next year, but so far its appeal is only 23% funded (US$10.6m).

“We are starting to really worry about the health of Syrian refugees. Too many are living in inadequate shelters such as an empty shopping centre or the outskirts of a cemetery. These shelters have no toilets, little water and garbage has started to pile up. With high summer right around the corner, refugees living in poor sanitary conditions are facing serious risks of diseases,” said Rick Bauer, Regional humanitarian coordinator for Oxfam.

“During the upcoming months of dry summer, we need to minimise the risks and this starts with providing refugees with proper shelter. High rental costs in both Jordan and Lebanon are forcing thousands of refugees to live and sleep in overcrowded, insanitary conditions, with little privacy. The aid effort must be properly funded and focused on providing refugees with affordable and decent places to stay, where they can live with dignity. That’s priority number one for refugees and host communities alike.”

As needs continue to grow both in Syria and host countries, the current UN appeal for the Syria crisis is only 58 per cent funded, over US$650 million-short. The UN agencies are set to review and issue a new call for funds for the next six months on June 7.

In Jordan, where 55 per cent of the refugees are under the age of 18, Syrians living in host communities are lacking the money to buy the basics including soap and enough water for bathing. In one tent community in West Balqa Oxfam found that some children could only take a bath once every ten days. Oxfam has already seen an increasing number of skin infections especially among young children.

The aid agency is also looking to increase its direct assistance in Balqa and Zarqa to help refugee as well as local communities access clean water and essential hygiene items. Oxfam will be working closely with refugees and host communities to introduce water conservation measures and promote hygiene practices using less water for all residents, including local communities. In addition, the agency is scaling up its water and sanitation programme in Jordan’s biggest refugee camp, Zaatari camp, to cope with the rising temperatures and the knock-on health risks. WHO have identified dehydration, diarrhoea and food conservation as the main risks in the camp.

In Lebanon, the North Governorate hosts the highest concentration of people in need of clean water and basic sanitation. As of May 2013, some 635,000 people are in need of assistance – both refugees and host communities – and Oxfam says it anticipates this number to increase to over 740,000 by November 2013.

Municipalities in the Beqaa Valley have reported to international NGOS that they were unable to provide solid waste disposal services for the refugees. They have called for funding to be able to assist and make sure that garbage disposal is done on a regular basis in makeshift camps now home to thousands of Syrian refugees.

Bauer said: “The sad reality is that the vast majority of Syrian refugees are not going home soon. It is also crystal clear that host communities in Lebanon and Jordan need urgent help. Both countries have shown incredible solidarity and generosity in welcoming refugees, but they need help dealing with serious health risks and the possibility of diseases which will affect refugees and host communities alike in the coming months.

“During the summer months, people need secure water supplies for good hygiene practices and prevent common diseases. But if aid groups and local authorities are to be able to increase their programs, they need more funds. There is no way around it. Providing safe water, appropriate sanitation facilities and access to health care is costly. It’s time for the key donors to wake up and face that reality.”

Coates concluded: “Now, more than ever, the Syrian people need our support. Please be generous.”

Oxfam is calling on New Zealanders to donate to the Syria Conflict Appeal.

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Headline: New Zealand Parliament first in southern hemisphere to gain Fair Trade accreditation

The New Zealand Parliament has become the first Parliament in the Southern Hemisphere to be awarded Fair Trade accreditation. To mark the occasion, five parliamentarians hosted an Oxfam Coffee Break yesterday in the Grand Hall.

MPs from across parties, including Phil Twyford (Labour), Alfred Ngaro (National), Russel Norman (Green Party), Te Ururoa Flavell (Maori Party) and Barbara Stewart (NZ First) toasted each other with Fairtrade coffee, signaling Parliament’s commitment to giving a fair deal to people in the developing world who grow many of the products we consume.

Sarah Meads, Oxfam’s Advocacy and Campaigns Manager, said, “This is a huge step. New Zealanders care about the impact they have on the lives of poor and marginalised people around the world. Now we can be proud that our Parliament is demonstrating a similar awareness and commitment to help those who produce the goods we consume.

“Oxfam warmly welcomes the move to Fair Trade today. It’s a powerful symbol of the growing Fair Trade movement across New Zealand and of our Members of Parliament getting on board to support growers and producers in the developing world work their way out of poverty,” added Meads.

The Parliament Café now serves Fairtrade coffee, tea and chocolate. In addition, Epicure (the contractor supplying Parliament) will seek improvements on the Fairtrade offerings across their units.

Fair trade helps producers in the developing world work their way out of poverty. With many of the things we buy every day – such as coffee, tea, sugar, bananas, cotton and chocolate – just a tiny percentage of what we pay actually gets back to the growers, who are left struggling to feed their families and send their children to school.

New Zealanders are getting behind Fairtrade. Sales of Fairtrade certified products have increased from just over $2 million in 2005 to $52 million last year.

In 2009, Wellington became the first Fair Trade Capital City in the southern hemisphere. Now New Zealand is the first to have a Fair Trade Parliament as well. This is a powerful symbol, showing the value New Zealand places on fairness, justice and a more equal world.

Oxfam supports fair trade as a way to help vulnerable communities improve their lives. Oxfam’s Biggest Coffee Break is happening over Fair Trade Fortnight (May 4-19), with thousands of Kiwis participating in Coffee Breaks to learn more about the benefits of fair trade and raise funds to help people in poverty who grow the food we consume.

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Kiwis across the country are poised to put the jug on for Oxfam’s Biggest Coffee Break, part of Fair Trade Fortnight, May 4 -19,New Zealand’s largest annual fair trade celebration.

Thousands of tea, coffee and chocolate lovers from Kaitaia to Bluff will take part in Oxfam Coffee Breaks in homes, schools, communities and workplaces, helping farmers in the developing world – who grow the foods we love – work their way out of poverty.

Barry Coates, Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand, said, “Kiwis believe in giving people a fair go. That’s really coming through with the massive growth in sales of fair trade products and the success of Oxfam’s Biggest Coffee Break. We encourage everyone to host an Oxfam Coffee Break – it’s a fun way to be part of the solution to global poverty. Your fair choices make a big difference.”

Millions of farmers in developing countries are dependent on the coffee, tea and cocoa industries. Buying fair trade products is a way that shoppers can ensure growers not only get a fair price for their crops, but also decent working conditions and much-needed investment in local community developments like clean water systems and schools.

The funds raised from Oxfam’s Biggest Coffee Break will enable people to havesafe water and sanitation, build sustainable incomes, provide an education and healthcare for their families, and live a life free from violence and persecution.

One of the farmers that Oxfam works with in East Timor is Cornell de Concicao, Coordinator of the Manelobas coffee co-op, who said,”Our lives are better than before. In the past we ate only corn and cassava, but now we have a more diverse diet. I’d like to finish building my house and support my children to go to school – I want my daughters to finish their studies.”

New Zealandcontinues to be one of the world’s fastest growing markets for Fairtrade certified products, with sales almost tripling since 2009 to $52.6 million in 2013.

A wide range of Fairtrade products are now available in New Zealand, from ice-blocks and soft drinks to clothing, bananas and sports balls.

People can still sign up to host an Oxfam Coffee Break at oxfamcoffeebreak.org.nz anytime through Fair Trade Fortnight.

—

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Headline: New Zealand Parliament first in southern hemisphere to gain Fair Trade accreditation

The New Zealand Parliament has become the first Parliament in the Southern Hemisphere to be awarded Fair Trade accreditation. To mark the occasion, five parliamentarians hosted an Oxfam Coffee Break yesterday in the Grand Hall.

MPs from across parties, including Phil Twyford (Labour), Alfred Ngaro (National), Russel Norman (Green Party), Te Ururoa Flavell (Maori Party) and Barbara Stewart (NZ First) toasted each other with Fairtrade coffee, signaling Parliament’s commitment to giving a fair deal to people in the developing world who grow many of the products we consume.

Sarah Meads, Oxfam’s Advocacy and Campaigns Manager, said, “This is a huge step. New Zealanders care about the impact they have on the lives of poor and marginalised people around the world. Now we can be proud that our Parliament is demonstrating a similar awareness and commitment to help those who produce the goods we consume.

“Oxfam warmly welcomes the move to Fair Trade today. It’s a powerful symbol of the growing Fair Trade movement across New Zealand and of our Members of Parliament getting on board to support growers and producers in the developing world work their way out of poverty,” added Meads.

The Parliament Café now serves Fairtrade coffee, tea and chocolate. In addition, Epicure (the contractor supplying Parliament) will seek improvements on the Fairtrade offerings across their units.

Fair trade helps producers in the developing world work their way out of poverty. With many of the things we buy every day – such as coffee, tea, sugar, bananas, cotton and chocolate – just a tiny percentage of what we pay actually gets back to the growers, who are left struggling to feed their families and send their children to school.

New Zealanders are getting behind Fairtrade. Sales of Fairtrade certified products have increased from just over $2 million in 2005 to $52 million last year.

In 2009, Wellington became the first Fair Trade Capital City in the southern hemisphere. Now New Zealand is the first to have a Fair Trade Parliament as well. This is a powerful symbol, showing the value New Zealand places on fairness, justice and a more equal world.

Oxfam supports fair trade as a way to help vulnerable communities improve their lives. Oxfam’s Biggest Coffee Break is happening over Fair Trade Fortnight (May 4-19), with thousands of Kiwis participating in Coffee Breaks to learn more about the benefits of fair trade and raise funds to help people in poverty who grow the food we consume.

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

Kiwis across the country are poised to put the jug on for Oxfam’s Biggest Coffee Break, part of Fair Trade Fortnight, May 4 -19,New Zealand’s largest annual fair trade celebration.

Thousands of tea, coffee and chocolate lovers from Kaitaia to Bluff will take part in Oxfam Coffee Breaks in homes, schools, communities and workplaces, helping farmers in the developing world – who grow the foods we love – work their way out of poverty.

Barry Coates, Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand, said, “Kiwis believe in giving people a fair go. That’s really coming through with the massive growth in sales of fair trade products and the success of Oxfam’s Biggest Coffee Break. We encourage everyone to host an Oxfam Coffee Break – it’s a fun way to be part of the solution to global poverty. Your fair choices make a big difference.”

Millions of farmers in developing countries are dependent on the coffee, tea and cocoa industries. Buying fair trade products is a way that shoppers can ensure growers not only get a fair price for their crops, but also decent working conditions and much-needed investment in local community developments like clean water systems and schools.

The funds raised from Oxfam’s Biggest Coffee Break will enable people to havesafe water and sanitation, build sustainable incomes, provide an education and healthcare for their families, and live a life free from violence and persecution.

One of the farmers that Oxfam works with in East Timor is Cornell de Concicao, Coordinator of the Manelobas coffee co-op, who said,”Our lives are better than before. In the past we ate only corn and cassava, but now we have a more diverse diet. I’d like to finish building my house and support my children to go to school – I want my daughters to finish their studies.”

New Zealandcontinues to be one of the world’s fastest growing markets for Fairtrade certified products, with sales almost tripling since 2009 to $52.6 million in 2013.

A wide range of Fairtrade products are now available in New Zealand, from ice-blocks and soft drinks to clothing, bananas and sports balls.

People can still sign up to host an Oxfam Coffee Break at oxfamcoffeebreak.org.nz anytime through Fair Trade Fortnight.

—

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.

The world risks failing the people of Syria as the scale of suffering increases and the humanitarian fall-out from the crisis worsens by the day.

With nearly seven million people in need of humanitarian help inside Syria, the organisation is calling on the UN Security Council to help improve humanitarian access by using its influence to urge the Syrian Government and opposition groups to help ensure aid reaches those most in need. This could mean allowing aid to cross lines of control and cross-border from neighbouring countries, such as Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey.

Syrian refugees now make up more than 10 per cent of Lebanon’s population. That is the equivalent of 440,000 Syrians arriving in New Zealand – often with little more than the clothes on their backs.

Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand, Barry Coates, said, “The world risks failing the people of Syria at a time when they most need our help. Responding to this crisis is now our number one priority.

“We hear each day that the situation in Syria is desperate for so many but providing an appropriate humanitarian response is extremely difficult – and deeply frustrating. Restrictions on access mean far too many vulnerable people are not getting the help they have a right to.”

The organisation is using its decades of humanitarian experience in some of the most difficult environments in the world to develop its emergency response to the crisis unfolding in Syria. Concern is growing about the impact of the two-year conflict on water and sanitation facilities, in particular, because of the knock-on effect on people’s health and risk of disease.In addition, the aid agency is calling for the needs of the 1.3 million Syrian refugees now living in neighbouring countries to be fully-met.

In a new briefing paper released today, called “Overtaken By Need”, Oxfam says that three months after US$1.5 billion was pledged for the UN’s six-month appeal, just over half of the money has been received, much of it from Gulf countries. Refugee numbers have doubled in the first three months of the year and Oxfam warns that similar or even higher levels of funding will be required for the response in the future as the humanitarian catastrophe worsens.

Funds are particularly short for some organisations – including Oxfam – working with Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries.

“The aid effort on the borders has been slow to get off the ground and now needs to be scaled up significantly. A massive increase in humanitarian assistance is required but we fear that instead of being stepped up, the reverse is more likely to happen and aid levels could soon decline,” added Coates.

In Jordan’s Za’atari refugee camp increased numbers of arrivals mean facilities are stretched to the limit. Oxfam has installed toilets, showers and laundry areas to help 20,610 people in part of the camp but the organisation hopes to do more.

There are concerns that failure to respond fully to the humanitarian emergency could have serious consequences on stability across the wider region. Countries that have generously provided help for Syrian refugees, such as Jordan and Lebanon, are already feeling the economic and social strains of hosting such large numbers and need much greater international assistance, the aid agency said.

There have already been riots over poor living conditions and shortages of aid given in refugee camps in Jordan and Turkey. In Jordan, Oxfam is looking at how best to help the vulnerable refugees living outside the camp and in host communities over the next few months.

“When refugees arrive in Jordan and Lebanon they are traumatised and fearful for the future. As the needs of Syrians and refugees increase, so must the response,” said Coates.

“The future will be very bleak for people affected by this crisis unless they get more support.”

The claims and opinions made in this statement are those of the release organisation and are not necessarily endorsed by, and are not necessarily those of, The Daily Blog. Also in no event shall The Daily Blog be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on the above release content.